§30-19-4. State Board of Registration of Foresters.

(a) The State Board of Registration of Foresters is continued. The members of the board in office on July 1, 2009, shall, unless sooner removed, continue to serve until their respective terms expire and until their successors have been appointed and qualified.

(b) To be effective on July 1, 2009, the Governor shall appoint, by and with the advise and consent of the Senate, a registered forestry technician to replace the board member whose term ends on June 30, 2009.

(c) Commencing July 1, 2009, the board shall consist of the following five members:

(1) Four registered foresters; and

(2) One registered forestry technician.

(d) Each member shall be appointed by the Governor, by and with the consent of the Senate, from five nominees recommended by the West Virginia Division of the Society of American Foresters. The term is for five years.

(e) A member may not serve more than two consecutive full terms. A member having served two consecutive full terms may not be appointed for one year after completion of his or her second full term. A member may continue to serve until a successor has been appointed and qualified.

(f) Each member of the board shall be a resident of West Virginia during the appointment term.

(g) Each member must have been certified in this state for a period of not less than three years prior to his or her appointment and must have engaged in the practice of forestry for at least ten years.

(h) Each member shall maintain an active certification with the board.

(i) The Governor may remove any member from the board for neglect of duty, incompetency or official misconduct.

(j) A member of the board immediately and automatically forfeits membership to the board if his or her certification has been suspended or revoked, is convicted of a felony under the laws of any jurisdiction, or becomes a nonresident of this state.

(k) The board shall elect annually one of its members as chairperson and one member as secretary who shall serve at the will and pleasure of the board.

(l) Each member of the board is entitled to compensation and expense reimbursement in accordance with article one of this chapter.

(m) A majority of the members serving on the board constitutes a quorum.

(n) The board shall hold at least two meetings annually. Other meetings shall be held at the call of the chairperson or upon the written request of two members, at such time and place as designated in the call or request.

(o) Prior to commencing his or her duties as a member of the board, each member shall take and subscribe to the oath required by section five, article four of the Constitution of this state.