3 §168-B. Legislative Youth Advisory Council
Title 3: LEGISLATURE
Chapter 7: LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
Subchapter 1: GENERAL PROVISIONS
§168-B. Legislative Youth Advisory Council
The Legislative Youth Advisory Council, referred to in this section as "the council," is created to advise the Legislature on policy matters related to youth. [2009, c. 623, §2 (NEW).]
1. Membership. The council consists of 20 members appointed in accordance with this subsection. In appointing members, the appointing authorities shall strive to ensure a balance among members in terms of statewide geographic distribution and gender. All appointments are for the duration of the legislative term for which the members are appointed and expire upon the convening of the next Legislature. Members may be reappointed to subsequent terms on the council as long as they are eligible at the time of their reappointment.
A. The President of the Senate shall appoint the following 10 members:
(1) Two members of the Senate representing the 2 largest political parties in the Senate; and
(2) Eight youths who have attained 15 years of age and who are enrolled in programs that lead to a secondary school diploma or certificate of attendance or a general equivalency diploma or are enrolled in equivalent instruction programs under Title 20‐A, chapter 211, subchapter 1‐A. The youth members must be appointed from names recommended for appointment by the 2 appointed members of the Senate. [2009, c. 623, §2 (NEW).]
B. The Speaker of the House shall appoint the following 10 members:
(1) Two members of the House of Representatives representing the 2 largest political parties in the House; and
(2) Eight youths who have attained 15 years of age and who are enrolled in programs that lead to a secondary school diploma or certificate of attendance or a general equivalency diploma or are enrolled in equivalent instruction programs under Title 20‐A, chapter 211, subchapter 1‐A. The youth members must be appointed from names recommended for appointment by the 2 appointed members of the House of Representatives. [2009, c. 623, §2 (NEW).]
[ 2009, c. 623, §2 (NEW) .]
2. Chairs. The first appointed Senate member is the Senate chair of the council and the first appointed House member is the House chair of the council.
[ 2009, c. 623, §2 (NEW) .]
3. Compensation. Members of the council who are Legislators are entitled to the legislative per diem and to reimbursement of reasonable expenses incurred in attending meetings of the council. Youth members of the council are entitled to reimbursement of reasonable expenses incurred in attending meetings of the council only upon a demonstration of financial hardship.
[ 2009, c. 623, §2 (NEW) .]
4. Meetings. The council may hold 2 meetings in each calendar year in a location in the State chosen by the chairs. There is no quorum requirement for the meetings. Legislative members shall encourage the use of social networking media during and between meetings to facilitate communication and participation of council members and others interested in the council's work. The legislative members shall encourage the participation of youth members in the legislative process by providing opportunities during the legislative session for youth members to shadow legislative members, attend hearings and work sessions of legislative committees and testify before the committees on legislation of interest to youth. Shadowing and participatory activities are not considered meetings of the council.
[ 2009, c. 623, §2 (NEW) .]
5. Report. The council shall submit a biennial report to the Legislative Council no later than the 2nd Friday in February of even-numbered years, beginning in 2012. The report may include recommendations on policy issues before the Legislature pertaining to youth and may include recommended legislation.
[ 2009, c. 623, §2 (NEW) .]
6. Staff. The Legislative Council may authorize staff support for the council for meetings held during the legislative interim.
[ 2009, c. 623, §2 (NEW) .]
SECTION HISTORY
2009, c. 623, §2 (NEW).