1. a. There is created within the Department of Community Affairs the Liquefied Petroleum Gas Education and Safety Board. This board shall be advisory in nature to the Commissioner of Community Affairs. The board shall be composed of 11 members: three public members appointed by the Governor on a nonpartisan basis, two of whom shall be professional firefighters or other fire safety professionals; one representative from the environmental community and one representative from a consumer group, appointed by the Governor; five members who are representatives of the liquefied petroleum gas industry appointed by the Governor upon recommendation by the Board of Directors of the New Jersey Propane Gas Association; and one representative of a gas public utility involved in the storage and distribution of liquefied petroleum gas, appointed by the Governor. Members of the board who are representatives of the liquefied petroleum gas industry and the gas public utility shall have been legal residents of the State for at least the five years prior to their appointment and have been actively engaged in the liquefied petroleum gas industry for at least five years. Members of the board shall be appointed within 90 days after the effective date of this act.

Of the members first appointed as public members, one shall serve for one year, one shall serve for two years, and one shall serve for three years. Of the members representing the liquefied petroleum gas industry, the first appointed shall serve for one year, the next appointed shall serve for two years, and the remainder shall serve for three years. The representative from the environmental community, the representative of the gas public utility and the representative from a consumer group shall each serve for three years.

Upon expiration of the terms of the members first appointed, the terms of all members shall be three years. Members may be reappointed. Members shall serve until a replacement is appointed. Vacancies shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment. In the case of a vacancy occurring otherwise than by expiration of term, that vacancy shall be filled only for the unexpired term.

b. The board shall elect a chairman and vice-chairman from among its members at its first regular meeting each calendar year. All meetings of the board shall be held on a prescribed date, at least quarterly, and also at any time a majority of the board members requests a meeting in writing to the board chairman. Any six members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. The board may adopt bylaws governing its procedures and method of operation.

c. The members of the board shall not receive compensation, but may receive an allowance for travel expenses as determined by the commissioner to the extent such funds are made available.

L.1999,c.109,s.1.