(a) A Parole Board of five members is created. The Governor, with the advice and consent of the Senate, shall appoint five regular members and two alternates for terms of three years in such a manner that not more than three terms shall expire annually. Initial terms may be less than three years. Each member and alternate shall hold office until a successor is appointed and qualified. The Governor shall designate the Board's chair. As far as practicable, the Governor shall appoint as members persons who have knowledge of and experience in correctional treatment, crime prevention, or human relations, and shall give consideration, as far as practicable, to geographic representation of the State. The Board shall select one of its members to serve as Vice Chair of the Board. If the Chair resigns or is otherwise permanently unable to serve on the Board, the Vice Chair shall serve as interim chair until the Governor designates a new chair pursuant to this section. The Chair or the executive director may assign alternates to serve on the Board in the absence of a regular member and such alternates shall have all the powers and authority of a regular member when so assigned.

(b) Three members of the Board shall constitute a quorum for the conduct of a meeting. Notwithstanding 1 V.S.A. § 172, the concurrence of a majority of members present at a Parole Board meeting shall be necessary and sufficient for Board action.

(c) The Chair of the Parole Board shall be entitled to compensation in the amount of $20,500.00 annually, effective on the first pay period in fiscal year 2006, which shall be in lieu of any per diem otherwise authorized by law. If the Vice Chair assumes the duties of the Chair for a period in excess of 30 consecutive days, the compensation otherwise payable to the Chair during his or her absence shall be paid to the Vice Chair. (Added 1971, No. 199 (Adj. Sess.), § 20; amended 1973, No. 43, eff. April 6, 1973; 1983, No. 89, § 1; 1997, No. 148 (Adj. Sess.), § 57, eff. April 29, 1998; 2005, No. 63, § 11.)