143B-472.81. North Carolina Board of Science, Technology, and Innovation; membership; organization; compensation; staff services.

(a) The North Carolina Board of Science, Technology, and Innovation consists of the Governor, the Secretary of Commerce, and 23 members appointed as follows: the Governor shall appoint one member from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, one member from North Carolina State University at Raleigh, and two members from other components of the University of North Carolina, one of which shall be from a historically black college or university, all nominated by the President of the University of North Carolina; one member from Duke University, nominated by the President of Duke University; one member from a private college or university, other than Duke University, in North Carolina, nominated by the President of the Association of Private Colleges and Universities; one member of the North Carolina Community College System; one member representing K-12 public education; six members from private industry in North Carolina; and seven at-large members. Two members shall be appointed by the General Assembly, one shall be appointed upon the recommendation of the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, and one shall be appointed upon the recommendation of the Speaker of the House of Representatives in accordance with G.S. 120-121. The nominating authority for any vacancy on the Board among members appointed by the Governor shall submit to the Governor two nominations for each position to be filled, and the persons so nominated shall represent different disciplines.

(b) Members appointed to the Board by the General Assembly shall serve for two-year terms beginning 1 July of odd-numbered years. Vacancies in appointments made by the General Assembly shall be filled in accordance with G.S. 120-122. The two members from public agencies shall serve for terms expiring at the end of the term of the Governor appointing them. The other 13 members appointed to the Board by the Governor shall serve for four-year terms, and until their successors are appointed and qualified. Of those 13 members, six shall serve for terms that expire on 30 June of years that follow by one year those years that are evenly divisible by four, and seven shall serve for terms that expire on 30 June of years that follow by three years those years that are evenly divisible by four. Any appointment to fill a vacancy on the Board created by the resignation, dismissal, death, or disability of a member shall be for the balance of the unexpired term.

(c) The Governor or the Governor's designee shall serve as chair of the Board. The vice-chair and the secretary of the Board shall be designated by the Governor or the Governor's designee from among the members of the Board.

(d) The Governor may remove any member of the Board from office in accordance with the provisions of G.S. 143B-16.

(e) Members of the Board who are employees of State agencies or institutions shall receive subsistence and travel allowances authorized by G.S. 138-6. Legislative members of the Board shall receive subsistence and travel allowances authorized by G.S. 120-3.1.

(f) A majority of the Board constitutes a quorum for the transaction of business.

(g) The Secretary of Commerce shall provide all clerical and other services required by the Board.