(a)

(1) The Joint Board of Family Practice which existed on January 1, 1998, is continued in existence but on and after July 1, 1998, shall become and be known as the Georgia Board for Physician Workforce. The Georgia Board for Physician Workforce, referred to in this chapter as the "board," shall be attached to the Department of Community Health for administrative purposes only, as defined by Code Section 50-4-3, except that such department shall prepare and submit the budget for that board in concurrence with that board.

(2) The Georgia Board for Physician Workforce shall be composed of 15 members, all of whom are residents of this state, as follows:

(A) Five members shall be primary care physicians, at least three of whom shall be from rural areas;

(B) Five members shall be physicians who are not primary care physicians, at least three of whom shall practice in rural areas;

(C) Three members shall be representatives of hospitals which are not teaching hospitals, with at least two of those three members being representatives of rural, nonprofit hospitals;

(D) One member shall be a representative from the business community;

(E) One member shall have no connection with the practice of medicine or the provision of health care; and

(F) The physicians on the board shall represent a diversity of medical disciplines, including, but not limited to, women's health, geriatrics, and children's health. The board shall represent the gender, racial, and geographical diversity of the state.

(3) All members of the board shall be appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate. The terms of office of all the members of the Joint Board of Family Practice shall expire July 1, 1998, but only at such time on or after that date when all 15 of the initial members of the Georgia Board of Physician Workforce have been appointed and qualified. No such initial member shall exercise any power under this chapter until all 15 members have been appointed and qualified. The initial members of the board who are appointed thereto shall take office for initial terms of office as follows:

(A) Two primary care physicians, two physicians who are not primary care physicians, and one representative of a hospital which is not a teaching hospital shall be appointed to two-year terms of office;

(B) Two primary care physicians, two physicians who are not primary care physicians, and one representative of a hospital which is not a teaching hospital shall be appointed to four-year terms of office; and

(C) The remainder of the board shall be appointed to six-year terms of office.

Thereafter, successors to such members shall be appointed for terms of six years. The Governor shall designate the term to which each initial member is appointed. All members shall serve until their successors are appointed and qualified. Members appointed under this paragraph shall be eligible to serve on the board until confirmed by the Senate at the session of the General Assembly next following their appointment.

(4) In case of a vacancy on the board by reason of death or resignation of a member or for any other cause other than the expiration of the member's term of office, the board shall by secret ballot elect a temporary successor. If the General Assembly is in session, the temporary successor shall serve until the end of that session. If the General Assembly is not in session, the temporary successor shall serve until the end of the session next following the vacancy or until the expiration of the vacated member's term of office, whichever occurs first. The Governor shall appoint a permanent successor who shall be confirmed by the Senate. The permanent successor shall take office on the first day after the General Assembly adjourns and shall serve for the unexpired term and until his or her successor is appointed and qualified.

(5) The office on the board of a member thereof who fails to attend more than three consecutive regular meetings of the board, without excuse approved by resolution of the board, shall become vacant.

(b) The board shall annually elect from its membership a chair, a vice chair, and a secretary-treasurer by ballot. Meetings shall be held at the call of the chair or upon written request of a majority of the members. A majority of members then in office shall constitute a quorum and shall have the authority to act upon any matter properly brought before the board. The board shall keep permanent minutes and records of all its proceedings and actions.

(c) Each member of the board shall receive the same expense allowance per day as that received by a member of the General Assembly for each day or substantial portion thereof that such member of the board is engaged in the work of the board, in addition to such reimbursement for travel and other expenses as is normally allowed to state employees. No member of the board shall receive the above per diem for more than 30 days in any one calendar year.

(d) The Department of Community Health, with the concurrence of the board, shall have the authority to employ such administrative staff as is necessary to carry out the functions of the board. Such staff members shall be employed within the limits of the appropriations made to the board.

(e) The board, as it deems appropriate, shall have the authority to appoint advisory committees to advise the board on the fulfillment of its duties. The members of the advisory committees shall not receive any per diem or reimbursements; provided, however, that such members shall receive the mileage allowance provided for in Code Section 50-19-7 for the use of a personal car in connection with attendance at meetings called by the board.