CHAPTER 310-A OFFICE OF PROFESSIONAL LICENSURE AND CERTIFICATION
Natural Scientists
Section 310-A:81
310-A:81 Board of Natural Scientists; Establishment; Criteria; Terms; Expenses; Meetings; Records and Reports; Roster. –
I. A board of natural scientists is established to administer the provisions of this subdivision. The board shall consist of 7 persons appointed by the governor and council, 2 of whom shall be soil scientists, 2 of whom shall be wetland scientists who are not also soil scientists, and 3 of whom shall be public members. The initial professional board members shall meet the educational requirements of RSA 310-A:84, I(a) or II-a, respectively. The public members of the board shall be persons who are not, and never were, members of the soil science profession, members of the wetland science profession, or the spouse of any such person, and who do not have and never have had, a material financial interest in either the provision of soil science or wetland science services or an activity directly related to soil science or wetland science, including the representation of the board or profession for a fee at any time during the 5 years preceding appointment.
II. (a) Each member of the board shall be a citizen of the United States and shall have been a resident of this state for at least one year immediately preceding appointment.
(b) Each soil scientist member shall have actively practiced soil science for at least 6 years prior to appointment and shall have held a responsible position in charge of such work for at least 2 years prior to appointment, which may include the teaching of soil science.
(c) Each wetland scientist member shall have actively practiced wetland science for at least 6 years prior to appointment and shall have held a responsible position in charge of such work for at least 2 years prior to appointment, which may include the teaching of wetland science.
III. Members shall be appointed for 5-year terms, except that no more than one appointed member's term may expire in any one calendar year. Appointments for terms of less than 5 years may be made in order to comply with this limitation. No appointed member shall be eligible to serve more than 2 full consecutive terms, provided that for this purpose only a period actually served which exceeds 1/2 of the 5-year term shall be deemed a full term. Upon expiration of a member's term, the member shall serve until a successor is qualified and appointed. The successor's term shall be 5 years from the date of expiration of the predecessor's appointment, regardless of the date of the successor's appointment. Vacancies occurring prior to the expiration of a specific term shall be filled by appointment for the unexpired term. A board member may be removed for cause by the governor and council under RSA 4:1.
IV. Members of the board shall be reimbursed for mileage at the state employee rate.
V. The board shall hold at least 3 regular meetings each year and special meetings at such times as it may deem necessary. Notice of all meetings shall be given in such a manner as rules adopted by the board may provide. The board shall biennially elect or appoint a chairperson, vice-chairperson, and secretary. A quorum of the board shall consist of a majority of the members of the board who have been approved by the governor and council.
VI. (a) The board shall keep a record of its proceedings in accordance with the retention policy established by the office of professional licensure and certification.
(b) The records of the board shall be prima facie evidence of the proceedings of the board, and a transcript of such records certified by the secretary of the board under seal shall be admissible in evidence with the same force and effect as if the original were produced.
VII. [Repealed.]
Source. 1988, 281:1. 1995, 136:33; 284:44-46. 1997, 240:10-13, eff. July 1, 1997. 2021, 197:135, 137, I, eff. July 1, 2021.