(a) The Delaware Nutrient Management Commission shall consist of 15 voting members and 4 ex officio members. The 15 voting members shall consist of the Director of the Division of Watershed Stewardship of the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control or his/her designee, 4 members appointed by the Governor, 3 members appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, 2 members appointed by the Senate Minority Leader, 3 members appointed by the Speaker of the House, and 2 members appointed by the House Minority Leader.
(b) The 14 appointed members of the Commission shall be residents of the State, shall have participated in the industry or organization they represent for at least 5 years, and shall consist of 7 full-time farmers (2 from New Castle County, 2 from Kent County, and 3 from Sussex County), 1 commercial/agricultural nutrient applicator, 1 member of the commercial nursery industry, 1 golf course/lawn care industry representative, 2 members from 1 or more community-based environmental advocacy groups, 1 nutrient consultant, and 1 public citizen. The 7 full-time farmers shall further consist of:
(1) One dairy farmer;
(2) One swine producer;
(3) One equine operation owner;
(4) Two poultry farmers; and
(5) Two row-crop farmers (1 grain and 1 vegetable).
(c) The Governor shall appoint 1 farmer from Sussex County, the representatives from the commercial nursery industry, the golf course/lawn care industry and the public citizen. The Senate shall appoint 3 farmers (1 from each county), the nutrient consultant and 1 member from a community-based environmental group. The House shall appoint 3 farmers (1 from each county), the commercial applicator and 1 member from a community-based environmental advocacy group.
(d) The Governor shall appoint the Chairperson of the Commission from the 7 full-time farmers whose duty it will be to call, adjourn and preside over all Commission meetings.
(e) The term of office of each appointed member of the Commission shall be 3 years from the 15th day of March in the year of the member's appointment and until the member's successor shall qualify.
(f) Each appointed member of the Commission shall receive compensation of $100.00 per meeting. Commission members shall be compensated for no more than 16 meetings per year. Commission members shall be entitled to be paid reasonable expenses for traveling to and from any Commission or Commission sub-committee meeting or conference attended on official business for the Commission.
(g) Vacancies in any appointed position on the Commission for any reason other than the expiration of term of office shall be filled by the previous appointing authority for the unexpired term of any Commissioner. In each year where there are 5 appointed positions available, the Governor, the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, the Minority Leader of the Senate, the Speaker of the House and the Minority Leader of the House shall each appoint 1 Commissioner to the Commission. In each year where there are 4 appointed positions available, the Governor shall appoint 2 Commissioners and the Speaker of the House and the President Pro Tempore of the Senate shall each appoint 1 Commissioner to the Commission.
(h) All appointed Commissioners shall remain eligible for reappointment upon the expiration of their term with the exception of the public citizen, who may serve only 1 term unless rendered ineligible for reappointment by the provisions of this Code or Commission regulations. The public citizen appointment shall be alternated between the 3 counties.
(i) Any appointed member of the Commission who misses 3 consecutive meetings or is otherwise recommended for removal by the Commission may be removed by the appointing authority.
(j) Appointed Commissioners shall be appointed to their 1st terms in the following manner:
(1) Five Commissioners shall be appointed for a term of 1 year;
(2) Five Commissioners shall be appointed for a term of 2 years; and
(3) Four Commissioners shall be appointed for a term of 3 years.
Thereafter, each appointed Commissioner shall be appointed for a term of 3 years.
(k) The Nutrient Management Program Administrator (NMPA) shall be a full-time, exempt state position selected by the Commission and created within the Department of Agriculture who shall act as the administrator of and be responsible for the operation of the State Nutrient Management Program.
(l) The 4 ex officio members of the Commission shall include the Secretary of the Department Agriculture, the Secretary of the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control, and the Secretary of the Department of Health and Social Services, or their respective designees, and the Nutrient Management Program Administrator.
(m) In any civil action against the Commission or any of its members, civil liability shall be determined pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 40 of Title 10.