1. The Council on Food Security is hereby created within the Department. The Council consists of:

(a) The Governor or his or her designee;

(b) The Director or his or her designee from within the Department;

(c) The Administrator of the Division of Welfare and Supportive Services of the Department or his or her designee from within the Division;

(d) The Regional Administrator for the Western Regional Office of the United States Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service or his or her designee from within the United States Department of Agriculture;

(e) The Executive Director of the Office of Economic Development or his or her designee from within the Office;

(f) The Administrator of the Division of Public and Behavioral Health of the Department or his or her designee from within the Division;

(g) The Superintendent of Public Instruction or his or her designee from within the Department of Education;

(h) The Director of the State Department of Agriculture or his or her designee from within the Department;

(i) The Administrator of the Aging and Disability Services Division of the Department or his or her designee from within the Division;

(j) Five members appointed by the Governor as follows:

(1) One member who is a representative of retailers of food;

(2) One member who is a representative of manufacturing that is not related to food;

(3) One member who is a representative of the gaming industry, hospitality industry or restaurant industry;

(4) One member who is a representative of farmers or ranchers engaged in food production; and

(5) One member who is a representative of persons engaged in the business of processing or distributing food;

(k) At least five members appointed by the Governor or the Director at the direction of the Governor from among the following persons:

(1) A person who is a representative of a food bank serving northern Nevada;

(2) A person who is a representative of a food bank serving southern Nevada;

(3) A person who is a representative of an organization that provides community-based services, including, without limitation, services that focus on the social determinants of health, in northern Nevada;

(4) A person who is a representative of an organization that provides community-based services, including, without limitation, services that focus on the social determinants of health, in southern Nevada;

(5) A person who is a representative of an organization that provides community-based services, including, without limitation, services that focus on the social determinants of health, in rural Nevada;

(6) A person who is a representative of the University of Nevada Cooperative Extension;

(7) A person who possesses knowledge, skill and experience in the provision of services to senior citizens and persons with disabilities;

(8) A person who is a representative of a local health authority; and

(9) A person who possesses knowledge, skill and experience in the provision of services to children and families; and

(l) Such other representatives of State Government as may be designated by the Governor.

2. The Governor or his or her designee shall serve as the Chair of the Council.

3. Each appointed member of the Council serves a term of 2 years. Each appointed member may be reappointed at the pleasure of the appointing authority, except that an appointed member may not serve for more than three consecutive terms or 6 consecutive years.

4. If a vacancy occurs in the appointed membership of the Council, the Council shall recommend a person to the appointing authority who appointed that member to fill the vacancy. The appointing authority shall appoint a replacement member after receiving and considering the recommendation of the Council. A member appointed to fill a vacancy shall serve as a member of the Council for the remainder of the original term of appointment and may be reappointed for two additional consecutive terms through the regular appointment process.

5. The appointing authority may remove a member for malfeasance in office or neglect of duty. Absences from three consecutive meetings constitutes good and sufficient cause for removal of a member.

6. Each member of the Council:

(a) Serves without compensation; and

(b) While engaged in the business of the Council, is entitled to receive the per diem allowance and travel expenses provided for state officers and employees generally.

7. The Department of Health and Human Services shall provide administrative support to the Council.

8. The Council shall meet at least once each calendar quarter and may meet at such further times as deemed necessary by the Chair.

9. The Council may apply for and accept gifts, grants, donations and contributions from any source for the purpose of carrying out its duties pursuant to NRS 232.4968.

(Added to NRS by 2019, 689)