1. The Advisory Committee on Problem Gambling, consisting of nine regular members, is hereby created within the Department.

2. The Governor shall appoint the following regular members to the Advisory Committee:

(a) One regular member who holds or is a representative of an association of persons who hold a restricted gaming license;

(b) Two regular members who are representatives of the association of gaming establishments whose membership collectively paid the most gross revenue fees to the State pursuant to NRS 463.370 in the last preceding year, from a list of nominees submitted by the association;

(c) Two regular members who are qualified mental health professionals, at least one of whom is certified as a problem gambling counselor pursuant to chapter 641C of NRS and is currently practicing;

(d) One regular member who represents an organization that promotes awareness of problem gambling and provides assistance to persons affected by problem gambling; and

(e) Three regular members who are residents of this State and who have personal or professional knowledge and experience concerning problem gambling and related issues, including, without limitation, personal recovery, populations at risk of problem gambling, the assessment of needs, research and providing supportive services to persons with an addictive disorder related to gambling.

3. Each regular member appointed pursuant to paragraph (a) or (b) of subsection 2 may appoint an alternate member to serve in his or her place if he or she is unable to attend a meeting or perform his or her duties.

4. After the initial terms, each regular member of the Advisory Committee serves for a term of 2 years. Each regular member of the Advisory Committee continues in office until his or her successor is appointed. Each alternate member appointed pursuant to subsection 3 serves during the term of the regular member who appointed him or her and may be reappointed.

5. The regular members and alternate members of the Advisory Committee serve without compensation, except that the regular members and alternate members are entitled to receive the per diem allowance and travel expenses provided for state officers and employees generally while engaged in the business of the Advisory Committee.

6. A majority of the total membership of the Advisory Committee constitutes a quorum for the transaction of business, and a majority of a quorum present at any meeting is sufficient for any action taken by the Advisory Committee.

7. A regular member of the Advisory Committee who is an officer or employee of the State or a political subdivision of the State must be relieved from his or her duties without loss of his or her regular compensation so that he or she may prepare for and attend meetings of the Advisory Committee and perform any work necessary to carry out the duties of the Advisory Committee in the most timely manner practicable. A state agency or political subdivision of the State shall not require an officer or employee who is a regular member of the Advisory Committee to:

(a) Make up the time he or she is absent from work to carry out his or her duties as a regular member of the Advisory Committee; or

(b) Take annual leave or compensatory time for the absence.

8. The Advisory Committee shall:

(a) At its first meeting and annually thereafter, elect a Chair from among its regular members;

(b) Meet at the call of the Director, the Chair or a majority of its regular members as necessary, within the budget of the Advisory Committee, but not to exceed six meetings per year; and

(c) Adopt rules for its management and government.

(Added to NRS by 2005, 1527; A 2007, 810; 2017, 3527)