(a) There is established an advisory committee to be known as the “Individual Sewage Disposal Systems Advisory Committee”, for the purpose of making recommendations, advising, and providing assistance to the Program Administrator of the Environmental Program Section of the Division of Environmental Health Protection of the Department of Health concerning the utilization and application of alternate and experimental individual sewage disposal systems.
(b) The advisory committee shall consist of fourteen (14) members, to be appointed as follows:
(1) A member of the Arkansas Home Builders Association, to be appointed by the President of the Arkansas Home Builders Association;
(2) A member of the Arkansas Real Estate Commission, to be appointed by a majority vote of the commission;
(3) A member of the Arkansas Realtors Association, to be appointed by the President of the Arkansas Realtors Association;
(4)
(A) One (1) member who shall be a currently serving or former member of the board of a suburban improvement district or an officer or member of an association of property owners created by and pursuant to state law and organized for the purpose of maintaining common facilities, including sewage disposal facilities, in unincorporated subdivisions in this state, to be named by the Governor.
(B) However, in making the appointment, the Governor shall name a person who has been a developer or a member or officer of the board of a development company that has developed large unincorporated subdivisions in two (2) or more counties in this state;
(5) One (1) member who is a registered septic tank installer, to be appointed by the Governor;
(6) One (1) member who is a certified designated representative, to be appointed by the Governor;
(7) Two (2) members who are interested in individual sewage disposal systems research from the University of Arkansas, to be named by the President of the University of Arkansas;
(8) Three (3) members involved with the individual sewage disposal systems program of the Department of Health, to be appointed by the Secretary of the Department of Health;
(9) The Director of the Division of Environmental Quality or a designee;
(10) The State Conservationist of the United States Natural Resources Conservation Service or a designee; and
(11) The State Geologist with the Arkansas Geological Survey or a designee.
(c)
(1) The eight (8) members of the advisory committee appointed to serve thereon in the manner set forth in subdivisions (b)(1)-(7) of this section shall be appointed for terms of four (4) years.
(2) A vacancy in the term of any member due to death, resignation, or other cause shall be filled in the manner provided in this section for the original appointment for the unexpired portion of the term.
(d) Members of the advisory committee shall serve without pay but may receive expense reimbursement in accordance with § 25-16-901 et seq.
(e)
(1)
(A) The advisory committee shall elect from its membership a chair, a vice chair, and a secretary-treasurer, who shall each serve a term of one (1) year.
(B) Officers shall be eligible for election to succeed themselves.
(2) The advisory committee shall establish its own rules of procedure.
(3) The advisory committee shall meet upon call by the chair, at the request of any five (5) members of the committee stated in writing, at the request of the Director of the Division of Environmental Health Protection of the Department of Health, or upon call by the Secretary of the Department of Health.