(a)  The Rhode Island executive climate change council science and technical advisory board is hereby established. The science and technical advisory board shall have nine (9) members, appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the senate. Four (4) members shall be from institutions of higher education in the state; two (2) shall be from research laboratories located in the state; and three (3) shall be from state agencies with expertise in, and responsibility for, addressing issues pertaining to climate change.

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(b)  The members of the science and technical advisory board shall be appointed for terms of three (3) years; provided, however, that, with regard to the initial appointments, three (3) members shall be appointed for terms of one year; three (3) members shall be appointed for a term of two (2) years; and three (3) members shall be appointed for a term of three (3) years. Members may serve not more than three (3) successive terms and their appointments shall continue until their successors are appointed. A vacancy other than by expiration shall be filled in the manner of the original appointment, but only for the unexpired portion of the term.

(c)  Members of the advisory board shall receive no compensation.

(d)  The governor shall appoint a chairperson; a vice-chairperson and secretary shall be elected annually by the advisory board members. All officers of the advisory board shall serve until their successors have been duly appointed or elected.

(e)  The advisory board shall meet at least quarterly or at the call of the chairperson of the council.

(f)  The advisory board shall have the following purposes and duties:

(1)  Keep the executive climate change council abreast of important developments in scientific and technical information relating to climate change and resiliency;

(2)  Explore and advise the council regarding opportunities to provide timely support for key policy and management decisions by aligning academic research around issues of climate change and resiliency;

(3)  Inventory the scientific and technical work being done by public-and private-sector entities, and evaluate options to coordinate or integrate/consolidate such work in order to achieve greater efficiency, save resources, and provide better services;

(4)  Make recommendations and provide policy advice to the council regarding research needs and priorities, resource allocation, and funding opportunities;

(5)  Assist the council in communicating scientific and technical information to key user groups and the general public; and

(6)  Prepare an annual report, to be included in the annual report of the council, evaluating to what extent the state’s policies and programs aimed at mitigating and adapting to climate change are supported by the best available science and technical information.