2. The Council on Armed Forces and Veterans’ Affairs established in the Department of Commerce and Economic Development pursuant to P.L.1983, c.61 (C. 52:27H-45 et seq.) is hereby transferred to and established in the Department of Military and Veterans’ Affairs. The council shall consist of 22 members: two to be appointed by the President of the Senate from the members thereof, no more than one of whom shall be from the same political party; two to be appointed by the Speaker of the General Assembly from the members thereof, no more than one of whom shall be from the same political party; the Adjutant General of the Department of Military and Veterans’ Affairs, the Executive Director of the New Jersey Commerce Commission, the Commissioner of Education, the Commissioner of Environmental Protection, the Commissioner of Transportation, the State Treasurer, the Commissioner of Community Affairs, the Commissioner of Labor and Workforce Development, and the Chair of the New Jersey Commission on Higher Education, or their designees; and nine public members to be appointed by the Governor, with the advice and consent of the Senate. Eight of the public members shall be representatives of the community and business support groups for New Jersey’s military installations and the United States Coast Guard training center. Each public member shall serve for a term of three years from the date of the member’s appointment and until the member’s successor is appointed and qualified. Vacancies resulting from causes other than by expiration of term shall be filled for the unexpired term only and shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointments were made.

L.1992, c.86, s.2; amended 2005, c.40, s.1; 2007, c.253, s.22.