(a) A state emergency response commission is created within the department of public safety. The commission shall consist of 15 members, six ex officio members, including the commissioner of public safety, the secretary of natural resources, the secretary of transportation, the commissioner of health, the secretary of agriculture, food and markets, and the commissioner of labor, or their designees; and nine public members, including a representative from each of the following: local government, a local emergency planning committee, a regional planning commission, the fire service, law enforcement, emergency medical service, a hospital, a transportation entity required under EPCRA to report chemicals to the state emergency response commission, and another entity required to report extremely hazardous substances under EPCRA. The director of emergency management shall be the secretary of the commission without a vote.

(b) The nine public members shall be appointed by the governor for staggered three year terms. The governor shall appoint the chair of the commission.

(c) Members of the commission, except state employees who are not otherwise compensated as part of their employment and who attend meetings, shall be entitled to a per diem and expenses as provided in 32 V.S.A. § 1010. (Added 1989, No. 252 (Adj. Sess.), § 23; amended 1993, No. 194 (Adj. Sess.), § 3, eff. June 14, 1994; 2003, No. 42, § 2, eff. May 27, 2003; 2005, No. 209 (Adj. Sess.), § 22; 2007, No. 47, § 16.)