35-11-113. Advisory boards created; membership; removal; terms; meetings; expenses.

(a) There is created within the department three (3) advisory boards, one (1) for each of the air quality, land quality and water quality divisions. Each advisory board shall consist of five (5) members appointed by the governor. Each board shall have one (1) member who represents industry, one (1) member who represents agriculture, one (1) member who represents political subdivisions and two (2) members who represent the public interest. The governor may remove any member of any of the advisory boards as provided in W.S. 9-1-202.

(b) For the initial appointments to each board, the governor shall appoint one (1) member for a six (6) year term, two (2) members for four (4) year terms and two (2) members for two (2) year terms. Thereafter all appointments shall be for four (4) year terms. No officer or employee of the state, other than employees of institutions of higher education, may be appointed to a board. A vacancy occurs if any member ceases to represent the interest group or political party for which he was originally appointed, or if any member becomes unable or fails to serve for any reason. The governor shall fill vacancies by appointment for the unexpired portion of the term.

(c) Each advisory board shall meet within sixty (60) days after the effective date of this act to elect from among its members a chairman and a vice-chairman. Such officers shall be elected annually thereafter. Each board shall hold at least four (4) regularly scheduled meetings each year, and special meetings may be called by the chairman at any time. Three (3) members shall constitute a quorum for the purpose of conducting business, but all decisions must be approved by a majority of the total membership of the board. Each board shall keep a written record of its meetings and proceedings. Each board member shall be reimbursed for per diem, mileage and expenses for attending board meetings in the same manner and amount as state employees.