(a) There is within the bureau a Professional Fiduciaries Advisory Committee. The committee shall consist of seven members; three of whom shall be licensees actively engaged as professional fiduciaries in this state, and four of whom shall be public members. One of the public members shall be a member of a nonprofit organization advocating on behalf of the elderly, and one of the public members shall be a probate court investigator.

(b) Each member of the committee shall be appointed for a term of four years, and shall hold office until the appointment of his or her successor or until one year shall have elapsed since the expiration of the term for which he or she was appointed, whichever first occurs.

(c) Vacancies shall be filled by the appointing power for the unexpired portion of the terms in which they occur. No person shall serve as a member of the committee for more than two consecutive terms.

(d) The Governor shall appoint the member from a nonprofit organization advocating on behalf of the elderly, the probate court investigator, and the three licensees. The Senate Committee on Rules and the Speaker of the Assembly shall each appoint a public member.

(e) Every member of the committee shall receive per diem and expenses as provided in Sections 103 and 113.

(f) The committee shall do all of the following:

(1) Examine the functions and policies of the bureau and make recommendations with respect to policies, practices, and regulations as may be deemed important and necessary by the director or the chief to promote the interests of consumers or that otherwise promote the welfare of the public.

(2) Consider and make appropriate recommendations to the bureau in any matter relating to professional fiduciaries in this state.

(3) Provide assistance as may be requested by the bureau in the exercise of its powers or duties.

(4) Meet at least once each quarter. All meetings of the committee shall be public meetings.

(g) The bureau shall meet and consult with the committee regarding general policy issues related to professional fiduciaries.

(h) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, if the bureau becomes inoperative or is repealed in accordance with Section 6510, or by subsequent acts, the committee shall succeed to and is vested with all the duties, powers, purposes, responsibilities, and jurisdiction, not otherwise repealed or made inoperative, of the bureau and its chief. The succession of the committee to the functions of the bureau as provided in this subdivision shall establish the committee as the Professional Fiduciaries Committee in the department within the meaning of Section 22, and all references to the bureau in this code shall be considered as references to the committee.

(Added by Stats. 2006, Ch. 491, Sec. 3. Effective January 1, 2007.)