5. a. There is established in the Department of Community Affairs the Board of Landscape Irrigation Contractors, which shall consist of seven members, as follows: the Commissioner of Community Affairs, or the commissioner’s designated representative, who shall serve ex officio; five public members who shall be landscape irrigation contractors and residents of the State; and one public member who shall be a licensed professional engineer or certified landscape architect. Each of the public members shall be appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate, for terms of three years. Each of these members shall hold office for the term of the appointment and until a successor is appointed and qualified. Any vacancy in the membership occurring other than by expiration of a term shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment, but for the unexpired term only.

b. The members of the board shall elect from among their number a chairperson, who shall schedule, convene, and chair board meetings, and a vice-chairperson who shall act as chair in the chairperson’s absence.

c. The powers of the board are vested in the members thereof in office, and a majority of the total authorized membership of the board is required to exercise its powers at any meeting thereof; provided however, that if a board member has resigned or otherwise vacated his or her membership appointment before the expiration of his or her term, or if a board member does not serve after the expiration of his or her term pending the appointment of a successor, then, until such vacancies are filled, a majority of the currently serving membership of the board is required to exercise its powers at any meeting thereof.

d. The members of the board shall serve without compensation, but the board may, within the limits of funds appropriated or otherwise made available to it, reimburse members for actual expenses necessarily incurred in the discharge of their official duties.

e. The board shall meet twice annually, and at such other times as may be necessary, at a place provided by the department.

L.1991, c.27, s.5; amended 2009, c.229, s.4; 2015, c.169, s.2.