Section 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 at least 4 members.
VI. (a) The board shall keep a record of its proceedings and a register of all applications for registration, which shall show:
(1) The name and residence of each applicant.
(2) The date of application.
(3) The place of business of such applicant.
(4) The applicant's educational and other qualifications.
(5) Whether or not an examination was required.
(6) Whether the applicant was rejected and the reasons for such rejection.
(7) Whether a certificate of registration was granted.
(8) The date of the action of the board.
(9) Such other information as may be deemed necessary by the board.
(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. Biennially, as of December 31 of each even-numbered year, the board shall submit to the governor a report of the transactions of the preceding biennium, and a complete statement of the receipts and expenditures of the board.
VII. The secretary of the board shall provide, upon request, a roster listing the names and places of business of all soil scientists and wetland scientists certified under this subdivision by the board. Copies of this roster shall be placed on file with the secretary of state and furnished to the public upon request at a fee to be established by the board. The board may include in such roster any other information it deems appropriate.
Source. 1988, 281:1. 1995, 136:33; 284:44-46. 1997, 240:10, 11, 12, 13, eff. July 1, 1997.