(1) There is created an advisory committee, which shall provide recommendations to the board and the director concerning the implementation of this chapter. The advisory committee shall consist of five members who are conversant with and experienced in the design, inspection, construction, and/or maintenance of on-site wastewater treatment systems, and who are otherwise eligible for licensure under this chapter. Each member of the committee must be a resident of the state and must have a minimum of seven years of continuous experience with on-site wastewater treatment systems immediately prior to appointment.

     (2) The director shall appoint to the committee individuals from across the state, thus utilizing geographic and experiential diversity as much as possible. The terms of the members of the advisory committee shall be a maximum of three years, except that the initial appointees to the committee shall serve the following terms: Two members for two years and three members for three years. No member of the advisory committee is eligible for reappointment to a third consecutive term, but any member is eligible for reappointment after an absence of at least one year from the committee. Any member who is reappointed following an absence of at least one year from the committee is eligible for reappointment to a second consecutive term and is again eligible for reappointment after an absence of at least one year from the committee.

     (3) Members of the advisory committee shall serve until replaced by a subsequent appointment, but may resign prior to completing the term of appointment. The director may for just cause remove a committee member. The director shall appoint a new member to fill any vacancy on the advisory committee for the remainder of the unexpired term. Members of the advisory committee shall not be compensated, but shall be reimbursed for expenses incurred in accordance with RCW 43.03.050 and 43.03.060. Three members constitutes [constitute] a quorum.

     (4) At the request of the advisory committee, the director may appoint temporary additional members to the advisory committee for assistance with rule development, examination development, and technical advice on complaints. Members temporarily appointed must meet the same minimum qualifications as regular members of the advisory committee. Temporary members have all the powers, duties, and immunities of regular members of the advisory committee and shall be reimbursed for expenses incurred in accordance with RCW 43.03.050 and 43.03.060. The director shall limit the term of temporary members to one year, but may for just cause extend the original appointment up to one additional year.

[1999 c 263 § 5.]