(a) There is hereby created a state cemetery board citizens advisory council, to study, investigate, monitor and make recommendations with respect to the maintenance and operation of the state cemetery vandalism restoration, monument repair or removal and administration fund. Such advisory council shall study and investigate incidents of cemetery abandonment, vandalism and desecration, monitor the administration of such fund and recommend changes to improve the management of and expenditures from the state cemetery vandalism restoration, monument repair or removal and administration fund.

(b) The advisory council shall be composed of a member designated by the secretary of state, a member designated by the attorney general, a member designated by the commissioner of health, a member designated by the comptroller and a member designated by the commissioner of taxation and finance. The appointees to the advisory council shall not be employees of the department of state, department of law, department of health, department of audit and control or department of taxation and finance. Each of the members shall serve for a term of two years, provided, however, that the first appointments by the comptroller and commissioner of taxation and finance shall serve for a term of one year. Vacancies occurring other than by expiration of term shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointments for the balance of the unexpired term. Persons designated or appointed to the advisory council shall have demonstrated a long-standing interest, knowledge and experience in the care and preservation of gravesites. One member shall be elected chairman of the advisory council by a majority vote of the members of such council.

(c) The members of the advisory council shall receive no compensation for their services but shall be reimbursed for travel expenses incurred in the performance of their duties.

(d) The advisory council shall meet at least quarterly at the call of the chairman.

(e) The advisory council may request and shall receive from any department, division, board, bureau, commission, agency, public authority of the state or any political subdivision thereof such assistance and data as will enable it properly to carry out its activities hereunder and effectuate the purposes set forth herein.