(a) The Vermont Citizens Advisory Committee on Lake Champlain's future is created to gather and disseminate information and make recommendations about the condition and management of the waters of the Lake Champlain basin region. The Advisory Committee shall consist of 14 members: two Senators appointed by the Committee on Committees, two Representatives appointed by the Speaker of the House, and ten Vermont citizens, including one recommended by the Secretary of Agriculture, Food and Markets, who come from a variety of geographic locations in Vermont appointed by the Governor with advice and consent of the Senate. The Advisory Committee shall elect a chair by a majority vote of its members. Legislative Committee members shall serve two-year terms that coincide with their term of office, or until the biennial appointment of successors. Other Advisory Committee members shall be appointed for three-year terms, except that initial appointments shall be for staggered terms.

(b) Advisory Committee members shall receive a per diem pursuant to 32 V.S.A. § 1010 and shall be reimbursed for necessary expenses incurred in performance of their duties as Advisory Committee members.

(c) The Secretary, in consultation with the Advisory Committee, may appoint an executive director who shall be an exempt State employee and who shall report to the Secretary.

(d) The Advisory Committee shall be assigned to the Agency of Natural Resources for budgetary and administrative purposes.

(e) The Advisory Committee shall present a proposed budget to the Secretary before September 15 of each year.

(f) [Repealed.]  (Added 1989, No. 265 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; amended 2003, No. 42, § 2, eff. May 27, 2003; 2007, No. 121 (Adj. Sess.), § 32.)