2. a. There is established within the Division of Consumer Affairs in the Department of Law and Public Safety, under the State Board of Examiners of Heating, Ventilating, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Contractors, a “Licensed Master Hearth Specialist Advisory Committee.” The committee shall consist of seven members who are residents of this State appointed by the Governor without regard to political affiliation as follows:

(1) Three members shall have been engaged or employed in hearth professional work for a period of five consecutive years and shall hold a certification as a Master Hearth Professional, as issued by the National Fireplace Institute immediately preceding their appointments, and, except for the first members appointed, shall be licensed under the provisions of P.L.2019, c.260 (C. 45:16A-29 et al.);

(2) One member shall be a licensee of the State Board of Examiners of Heating, Ventilating, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Contractors Board, established pursuant to P.L.2007, c.211 (C. 45:16A-1 et seq.);

(3) One member shall be a licensee of the State Board of Examiners of Master Plumbers, established pursuant to P.L.1968, c.362 (C. 45:14C-1 et seq.);

(4) One member shall be from a department in the Executive Branch of State Government who shall serve without compensation at the pleasure of the Governor; and

(5) One member shall be a public member who meets the requirements pertaining to public members set forth in subsection b. of section 2 of P.L.1971, c.60 (C. 45:1-2.2).

b. A majority of the appointed members of the committee shall constitute a quorum thereof and no action of the committee shall be taken except upon the affirmative vote of a majority of the appointed members of the committee.

c. The Governor shall appoint each member for a term of three years, except that of the members first appointed, four shall serve for terms of three years, two shall serve for a term of two years, and one shall serve for a term of one year.

d. Any vacancy in the membership of the committee shall be filled for the unexpired term in the manner provided for the original appointment. No member may serve more than two successive terms in addition to any unexpired term to which the members has been appointed.

e. The committee shall annually elect from among its members a chair and vice-chair. The committee shall meet at least twice a year and may hold additional meetings as necessary to discharge its duties.

L.2019, c.260, s.2.