(A) There is hereby created within the environmental protection agency the environmental education council consisting of the directors of environmental protection, natural resources, and education and workforce, or their designees, as members ex officio, one member of the house of representatives to be appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives or the member’s designee, one member of the senate to be appointed by the president of the senate or the member’s designee, one member to be appointed by the chancellor of higher education who shall have experience in providing environmental education at the university or college level, and six members to be appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the senate. Of the members appointed by the governor, two shall be from statewide environmental advocacy organizations, one shall represent the interests of the industrial community in this state, one shall represent the interests of employers in this state with one hundred fifty or fewer employees, one shall represent municipal corporations, and one shall represent the interests of elementary and secondary school teachers in this state. Within thirty days after October 1, 1990, the appointing authorities shall make their initial appointments to the council. The initial appointment to the council by the chancellor shall be for a term ending two years after October 1, 1990. Of the initial appointments made to the council by the governor, three shall be for a term ending one year after October 1, 1990, and three shall be for a term ending two years after October 1, 1990. Thereafter, the terms of office of the members appointed by the chancellor and the governor shall be for two years, with each term ending on the same day of the same month as the term that it succeeds. Each member shall hold office from the date of appointment until the end of the term for which the member was appointed. Members may be reappointed. Vacancies shall be filled in the manner provided for original appointments. Any member appointed to fill a vacancy occurring prior to the expiration date of the term for which the member’s predecessor was appointed shall hold office as a member of the board of trustees for the remainder of that term. A member of the council appointed by the chancellor or the governor shall continue in office subsequent to the expiration date of the member’s term until the member’s successor takes office or until a period of sixty days has elapsed, whichever occurs first.

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The council shall hold at least two regular, semiannual meetings each year. Special meetings may be held at the behest of the chairperson or a majority of the members. The director of environmental protection shall serve as the chairperson of the council. The council annually shall select from among its members a vice-chairperson and a secretary to keep a record of its proceedings. A majority vote of the members of the council is necessary to take action on any matter.

Serving as a member of the council does not constitute holding a public office or a position of employment under the laws of this state and does not constitute grounds for the removal of public officers or employees from their offices or positions of employment. The chancellor may at any time remove a member of the council appointed by the chancellor for misfeasance, malfeasance, or nonfeasance in office. The governor may at any time remove a member of the council appointed by the governor for misfeasance, malfeasance, or nonfeasance in office.

Members of the council appointed by the chancellor and the governor shall serve without compensation. Members of the council shall be reimbursed for their actual and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties as members of the council from moneys credited to the environmental education fund created in section 3745.22 of the Revised Code.

(B) The council shall advise and assist the director of environmental protection in the implementation and administration of section 3745.22 of the Revised Code and shall review and comment on all expenditures from the fund proposed by the director.

(C) The council may adopt bylaws for the regulation and conduct of the council’s affairs and may propose to the director of environmental protection expenditures from the fund.