1. Appointment; composition. The Aquaculture Advisory Council, referred to in this section as "the council" and established by Title 5, section 12004-I, subsection 57-C, consists of 7 members who are appointed by the commissioner as follows. A. The commissioner shall appoint at least 5 and up to 6 members from the aquaculture industry. In making appointments under this paragraph, the commissioner shall ensure geographic representation as well as representation of multiple sectors of the aquaculture industry and representation of businesses operating at different scales within the aquaculture industry. [PL 2023, c. 556, §2 (NEW).] B. The commissioner shall appoint one member who is a member of the public with expertise in matters related to the work of the council. If the number of members appointed pursuant to paragraph A is fewer than 6, then the commissioner shall appoint one additional member who is a member of the public with expertise in matters related to the work of the council. [PL 2023, c. 556, §2 (NEW).] In making appointments, the commissioner may consider nominations from the council and from associations representing the interests of persons involved in the aquaculture industry. [PL 2023, c. 556, §2 (AMD).] 2. Term. Council members serve for 3 years and continue serving until a successor is duly appointed and qualified. A member may not serve more than 2 consecutive terms. In the case of a vacancy, the commissioner shall promptly fill the vacancy. [PL 2023, c. 556, §2 (AMD).] 3. Purpose. The council shall make recommendations to the commissioner and the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over marine resources matters concerning: A. Matters of interest to the aquaculture industry, including, but not limited to, the leasing and licensing process, seed source, animal health, gear, compliance and research; and [PL 2023, c. 556, §2 (NEW).] B. Expenditures from the Aquaculture Management Fund for the purposes described in section 6072-D, subsection 4. [PL 2023, c. 556, §2 (NEW).] The council shall bring forward to the commissioner matters of concern to the aquaculture industry and assist the commissioner with the dissemination of information to members of the aquaculture industry. [PL 2023, c. 556, §2 (AMD).] 4. Officers. The officers of the council are the chair and vice-chair. The term of the officers is one year. The council shall elect a member of the council for each officer position at the first regular meeting of each year. [PL 2023, c. 556, §2 (AMD).] 5. Meetings. The council shall meet at least twice each year, and the meetings may not be held within the same quarter. It may also meet at other times at the call of the chair or the commissioner. [PL 2023, c. 556, §2 (AMD).] 6. Repeal. [PL 1999, c. 156, §5 (RP).] 7. Compensation. Council members are entitled to expenses according to Title 5, chapter 379, which are paid from the Aquaculture Management Fund established in section 6072-D. [PL 2023, c. 556, §2 (NEW).]
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