2.2-2632 - Human Rights Council; membership; terms; quorum; compensation.
§ 2.2-2632. Human Rights Council; membership; terms; quorum; compensation.
A. The Human Rights Council (the "Council") is established as a policycouncil, within the meaning of § 2.2-2100, in the executive branch of stategovernment. The Council shall consist of nine members, who shall be appointedby the Governor, subject to confirmation by the General Assembly. The membersappointed by the Governor shall, insofar as possible, be diverse with respectto economic status, race, sex, color, ethnicity, age, disabilities, politicalaffiliation and marital status.
B. Of the members first appointed, four shall be appointed to two-year terms,and five shall be appointed to four-year terms. Thereafter members shall beappointed to four-year terms, except members appointed to fill vacanciesshall be appointed for the remainder of the unexpired term.
In the case of vacancies on the Council during a recess of the GeneralAssembly, the Governor shall make an appointment to fill the vacancy, and theappointee shall hold office until thirty days after the commencement of thenext session of the General Assembly and, if confirmed by the GeneralAssembly, for the remainder of the unexpired term.
C. The Governor shall designate one of the members of the Council to bechairperson. The chairperson shall preside at all the meetings of theCouncil. The Council by majority vote shall elect one of its members asvice-chairperson who, in the absence of the chairperson, shall perform allthe duties and functions of the chairperson.
D. A simple majority of the members serving on the Council shall constitute aquorum. No power pursuant to § 2.2-2634 may be exercised by the Councilunless agreed to by a majority of the nine members of the Council appointed.Vacancies in the Council shall not impair the authority of remaining membersto exercise all the powers of the Council.
E. Members of the Council shall receive compensation for the discharge oftheir duties as provided in § 2.2-2813.
(1987, c. 581, § 2.1-718; 2001, c. 844.)