(a) The Alabama Soil and Water Conservation Committee shall serve as and be the State Board of Registration for Professional Soil Classifiers, and it shall be the duty of such board to administer the provisions of this chapter. The board shall appoint an advisory council of five members, four of whom shall be qualified professional soil classifiers who shall have the qualifications required in this chapter. It shall be the duty of such council to recommend certification of those persons eligible to become registered soil classifiers. The fifth member of the advisory council shall be the administrative officer of the board. The other four members of the advisory council shall be appointed for terms of office of five years and until their respective successors have been appointed and qualified; provided that one of the initial members shall be appointed for an initial term of office ending on June 30, 1982, one shall be appointed for an initial term of office ending on June 30, 1983, one shall be appointed for an initial term of office ending on June 30, 1984, and one shall be appointed for an initial term of office ending on June 30, 1985.

(b) Four members of the advisory council shall be professional soil classifiers who have been actively engaged in the practice of professional soil classifying for a period of at least five years and who shall have been in responsible charge of soil classification for at least three years. The fifth member of the advisory council shall be the administrative officer of the Alabama Soil and Water Conservation Committee, who shall serve as an ex officio member of the advisory council with the same rights, powers, and duties as the other members of the council.

(c) Each member of the advisory council shall be reimbursed for travel expenses in accordance with Title 36, Chapter 7. Such compensation and expenses shall be paid from funds derived from application and renewal fees.

(d) Vacancies in the membership of the advisory council shall be filled by appointment by the board as provided in this section and the person appointed to fill such vacancy shall serve for the unexpired term.

(e) The advisory council shall hold at least two regular meetings per year. Special meetings may be held as provided by the bylaws of the council, but not more than four such special meetings shall be held in any calendar year. The council shall elect, annually, a chairman and a vice-chairman. The administrative officer of the Alabama Soil and Water Conservation Committee shall serve as secretary-treasurer of the council. Three members of the council shall constitute a quorum.