(a) The Governor may remove any member of the Arkansas State Board of Registration for Foresters for misconduct, incompetency, or neglect of duty.
(b) Before the Governor can remove a member for cause, he or she must serve the member with a written notice of the charge or charges against him or her and afford him or her an opportunity to be heard publicly on such charge or charges.
(c)
(1) If the member thus served does not request a public hearing within ten (10) days from being served, the Governor may proceed with the member's removal.
(2) If the member does request a public hearing, it shall be heard by a special committee composed of three (3) persons, not members of the board, namely:
(A) The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court or a substitute selected by the Chief Justice, who shall be the chair;
(B) The chair of the Arkansas Division, Ouachita Society of American Foresters; and
(C) A faculty member selected by the Arkansas Division, Ouachita Society of American Foresters from the school or departments of forestry in Arkansas.
(d) The recommendation or decision of this committee shall be binding upon the Governor.
(e) A copy of the charge or charges, a transcript of the record of the hearing, and a copy of the recommendation shall be filed with the Secretary of State.
(f) If a board member is removed, his or her vacancy shall be filled for the unexpired term by appointment by the Governor as provided in § 17-31-201.