(a) The Liquefied Petroleum Gas Research and Education Advisory Committee is created. The committee shall consist of five members as follows: Two members shall be industrial members of the LP-Gas Board appointed by the board chair; two members shall be either a dealer or a dealer's manager who is a member of the Alabama Propane Gas Association appointed by the association's board of directors; the fifth member shall be the Chair of the LP-Gas Board who shall serve as chair of the committee. The board administrator shall serve as the executive director of the committee.

(b) The term of office of the appointed committee members shall be one year. Members may serve successive terms. Appointed members of the committee shall take office on the date of the July board meeting each year.

(c) No member of the committee shall receive per diem or expense allowance.

(d) The committee may adopt all necessary rules relating to research and education of the public as well as industrial members and employees regarding the use of LP-gas.

(e) No single corporation or partnership comprised of separate entities within the state, whether or not separately licensed, may be represented on the committee by more than one representative at any one time.

(f) The Liquefied Petroleum Gas Research and Education Fund may be used by the committee and administered by the LP-Gas Board administrator to pay for activities relating to LP-gas, including the following direct and indirect costs:

(1) Research of all possible uses of LP-gas to enhance air quality.

(2) Research, development, and implementation of marketing, advertising, and informational programs relating to LP-gas to make LP-gas more understandable and readily available to consumers.

(3) Development of conservation and distribution plans to minimize the frequency and severity of disruptions in the supply of LP-gas.

(4) Development of a public information plan to provide advisory services relating to LP-gas to consumers.

(5) Development of voluntary participation plans to promote the use of LP-gas by federal, state, and local agencies.

(6) Development and administration of educational programs relating to LP-gas safety, research, and other related programs directed towards the consumer, industrial members, and employees.

(7) Other functions the committee determines are necessary to add to a program established by the committee for the purpose of promoting the use of LP-gas.

(8) The administrative costs incurred by the committee under this section.

(9) The making of grants, contracts, and appropriations as approved by the committee to fund comprehensive LP-gas research and education programs, seminars, and workshops and for providing rebates for the purpose of promoting the use of LP-gas.