§3111. Office of New Americans Advisory Council
The Office of New Americans Advisory Council, as established in section 12004‑I, subsection 6‑K, is created as an advisory council to the Office of New Americans established in section 3110 on matters affecting the long-term economic and civic integration of immigrants in the State.
[PL 2023, c. 643, Pt. FF, §2 (NEW).]
1.
Duties of advisory council.
The advisory council shall advise the Office of New Americans on matters affecting the long-term economic and civic integration of immigrants in the State.
[PL 2023, c. 643, Pt. FF, §2 (NEW).]
2.
Membership.
The advisory council consists of 24 members as follows:
A.
Two members of the Senate, appointed by the President of the Senate, including a member from each of the 2 parties holding the largest number of seats in the Legislature;
[PL 2023, c. 643, Pt. FF, §2 (NEW).]
B.
Two members of the House of Representatives, appointed by the Speaker of the House, including a member from each of the 2 parties holding the largest number of seats in the Legislature;
[PL 2023, c. 643, Pt. FF, §2 (NEW).]
C.
Three members appointed by the President of the Senate representing the following:
(1)
A school administrative unit;
(2)
An adult education program; and
(3)
A small business;
[PL 2023, c. 643, Pt. FF, §2 (NEW).]
D.
Three members appointed by the Speaker of the House representing the following:
(1)
An organization providing refugee resettlement services;
(2)
A provider of legal assistance to immigrants; and
(3)
A municipality;
[PL 2023, c. 643, Pt. FF, §2 (NEW).]
E.
At least 10 members who are immigrants, 8 appointed by the Governor, one appointed by the President of the Senate and one appointed by the Speaker of the House; and
[PL 2023, c. 643, Pt. FF, §2 (NEW).]
F.
Four members appointed by the Governor representing the following:
(1)
A large business;
(2)
A business or organization with demonstrated expertise in housing assistance or housing production;
(3)
An organization with demonstrated expertise in workforce development; and
(4)
An employer with demonstrated experience providing immigrant apprenticeship opportunities, support and training programs.
[PL 2023, c. 643, Pt. FF, §2 (NEW).]
In making appointments of members to the advisory council, the appointing authorities shall make a good faith effort to ensure that the members of the advisory council reflect geographic, gender, ethnic and racial diversity.
[PL 2023, c. 643, Pt. FF, §2 (NEW).]
3.
Terms of office; removal.
Legislative members of the advisory council serve a term not to exceed their term in office, except that a legislative member may be appointed for successive terms. Nonlegislative members serve 3-year terms and may be reappointed. A vacancy for an unexpired term must be filled in accordance with subsection 2. A member may serve until a replacement is appointed. The Governor may terminate the membership of any appointee for good cause. The reason for the termination must be communicated in writing to a member whose membership is terminated. The membership of any member must be terminated if the member is absent from 3 consecutive meetings without communicating good cause to a chair of the advisory council.
[PL 2023, c. 643, Pt. FF, §2 (NEW).]
4.
Cochairs.
The Governor shall appoint 2 cochairs from among the members appointed and serving pursuant to subsection 2.
[PL 2023, c. 643, Pt. FF, §2 (NEW).]
5.
Meetings; staffing.
The advisory council shall meet at the discretion of the cochairs. Meetings may be cancelled or postponed at the discretion of the cochairs. All meetings of the advisory council are public proceedings within the meaning of Title 1, chapter 13, subchapter 1. The Office of New Americans shall provide staffing services as necessary to the advisory council.
[PL 2023, c. 643, Pt. FF, §2 (NEW).]
6.
Compensation; expenses.
Members of the advisory council not otherwise compensated by their employer or the entity they represent for their time serving on the council may be compensated for their time and reimbursed for expenses, to the extent resources are available. The Office of New Americans shall determine the amount and manner of compensation and reimbursement for expenses.
[PL 2023, c. 643, Pt. FF, §2 (NEW).]
SECTION HISTORY
PL 2023, c. 643, Pt. FF, §2 (NEW).