135-48.20. Board of Trustees established.

(a) There is established the Board of Trustees of the State Health Plan for Teachers and State Employees.

(b) The Board of Trustees of the State Health Plan for Teachers and State Employees shall consist of 10 members.

(c) The State Treasurer shall be an ex officio member of the Board and shall serve as its Chair, but shall only vote in order to break a tie vote.

(d) The Director of the Office of State Budget and Management shall be an ex officio nonvoting member of the Board.

(e) Two members shall be appointed by the Governor. Terms shall be for two years. Vacancies shall be filled by the Governor.

(f) Two members shall be appointed by the State Treasurer. Terms shall be for two years. Vacancies shall be filled by the State Treasurer.

(g) Two members shall be appointed by the General Assembly upon the recommendation of the Speaker of the House of Representatives in accordance with G.S. 120-121. Terms shall be for two years. Vacancies shall be filled in accordance with G.S. 120-122.

(h) Two members shall be appointed by the General Assembly upon the recommendation of the President Pro Tempore of the Senate in accordance with G.S. 120-121. Terms shall be for two years. Vacancies shall be filled in accordance with G.S. 120-122.

(i) In making appointments, the appointing authorities shall ensure that one of the appointees under subsection (e) of this section, one of the appointees under subsection (f) of this section, and one of the appointees under subsection (g) of this section, and one of the appointees under subsection (h) of this section are one of the following:

(1) An employee of a State department, agency, or institution;

(2) A teacher employed by a North Carolina public school system;

(3) A retired employee of a State department, agency, or institution; or

(4) A retired teacher from a North Carolina public school system.

In making appointments to the Board under this section, each appointing authority shall consult with all other appointing authorities prior to making its own appointments to ensure that the Board includes members of each of the groups listed in subdivisions (1) through (4) of this subsection.

(j) In making appointments, the appointing authorities shall appoint individuals from the following categories:

(1) Individuals with expertise in actuarial science or health economics.

(2) Repealed by Session Laws 2018-84, s. 9, effective June 25, 2018.

(3) Individuals with expertise in health benefits and administration.

(4) Individuals with expertise in health law and policy.

(5) Physicians who are licensed to practice medicine in this State.

In making appointments to the Board under this section, each appointing authority shall consult with all other appointing authorities prior to making its own appointments to ensure that each of the areas of expertise listed in subdivisions (1) through (5) of this subsection is represented by at least one member of the Board.

(k) Each appointing authority may remove any member appointed by that appointing authority.

(l) The members of the Board of Trustees shall receive one hundred dollars ($100.00) per day, except employees eligible to enroll in the Plan, whenever the full Board of Trustees holds a public session, and travel allowances under G.S. 138-6 when traveling to and from meetings of the Board of Trustees or hearings under G.S. 135-48.24, but shall not receive any subsistence allowance or per diem under G.S. 138-5, except when holding a meeting or hearing where this section does not provide for payment of one hundred dollars ($100.00) per day.

(m) No member of the Board of Trustees may serve more than three consecutive two-year terms.

(n) Immunity. - Except to the extent provided under Article 31A of Chapter 143 of the General Statutes and to the extent of insurance coverage purchased pursuant to G.S. 58-32-15, a person serving on the Board of Trustees shall be immune individually from civil liability for monetary damages for any act, or failure to act, arising out of that service, except where any of the following apply:

(1) The person was not acting within the scope of that person's official duties.

(2) The person was not acting in good faith.

(3) The person committed gross negligence or willful or wanton misconduct that resulted in damages or injury.

(4) The person derived an improper personal financial benefit, either directly or indirectly, from the transaction.

(5) The person incurred the liability from the operation of a motor vehicle.