(a) There is created the Alabama Board of Court Reporting. The board shall be operative within 60 days of June 1, 2006. ACRA shall provide administrative support to the board until such time as the board employs sufficient employees to implement and administer this chapter.

(b) The board shall consist of seven members as follows:

(1) Four court reporters certified by ABCR, NCRA, NVRA, or by the board, two of whom shall be employed in official capacities and two of whom shall be employed in a freelance setting.

(2) Two members in good standing with the Alabama State Bar Association.

(3) One additional member.

(c) Appointments to the board shall be made as follows:

(1) The Governor shall appoint one official court reporter, one freelance court reporter, and one member of the Alabama State Bar Association. ACRA, NCRA, NVRA, and the Alabama State Bar Association shall respectively submit a list of three names for each appointment to the Governor for consideration.

(2) The Lieutenant Governor shall appoint one member of the Alabama State Bar Association from a list of three names submitted by the Alabama State Bar Association.

(3) The President Pro Tempore of the Senate shall appoint one member who is an official court reporter from a list of three names submitted by ACRA.

(4) The Speaker of the House of Representatives shall appoint one member who is a freelance court reporter from a list of three names submitted by ACRA.

(5) The Chief Justice of the Alabama Supreme Court shall appoint one member from a list of three names submitted by the Administrative Office of Courts.

(d) All members of the board shall be citizens of the United States and the State of Alabama. The lists of names shall be submitted by the designated organizations on or before June 1, 2006. The initial terms shall begin January 1, 2007, and all appointments shall be made prior to January 1 of every year.

(e) The initial members shall serve the following terms as designated by the Governor:

(1) Three members shall serve for two years.

(2) Two members shall serve for three years.

(3) Two members shall serve for four years.

(f) Subsequent terms of office shall be for four years. No member shall serve more than two consecutive terms. In the event of a vacancy, the appointing authority for the position shall fill the vacancy. Each member shall serve until his or her successor is duly appointed and qualified.

(g) The membership of the board shall be inclusive and reflect the racial, gender, geographic, urban/rural, and economic diversity of the state. The board shall annually report to the Legislature by the second legislative day of each regular session to what extent the board has complied with the diversity provisions provided for in this subsection.

(h) At its first meeting each calendar year, the board shall elect a chair, vice chair, and secretary from its membership. No member shall be elected to serve more than two consecutive years in the same office.

(i) After the initial appointments have been made, the board shall meet by January 2007, for the purpose of organizing and transacting business. Thereafter, the board shall meet not less than twice annually and as frequently as deemed necessary by the chair or a majority of the members. The board shall meet at such time and place as designated by the board. A quorum shall consist of four members.

(j) Board members shall receive the same travel expenses and per diem as state employees pursuant to Article 2, commencing with Section 36-7-20, Chapter 7, Title 36. The expenses shall be paid out of the funds of the board. Reimbursement shall not be made if funds are insufficient.