§ 20-8-505. Arkansas Commission for the Newborn Umbilical Cord Blood Initiative — Creation — Members

(a) The Arkansas Commission for the Newborn Umbilical Cord Blood Initiative is created.

(b)

1. (1) The commission shall consist of eleven (11) members appointed as follows:

   1. (A) Three (3) members appointed by the Governor as follows:

      1. (i) One (1) member who is a physician licensed by the Arkansas State Medical Board;

      2. (ii) One (1) member who has a financial background; and

      3. (iii) One (1) member who has a legal background or an ethicist background, or both;

   2. (B) Three (3) members appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives as follows:

      1. (i) One (1) member who is a physician licensed by the board;

      2. (ii) One (1) member who has a financial background; and

      3. (iii) One (1) member who has a legal background or an ethicist background, or both;

   3. (C) Three (3) members appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate as follows:

      1. (i) One (1) member who is a physician licensed by the board;

      2. (ii) One (1) member who has a financial background; and

      3. (iii) One (1) member who has a legal background or an ethicist background, or both;

   4. (D) The Dean of the Fay W. Boozman College of Public Health of the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences or his or her designee; and

   5. (E) The Secretary of the Department of Health or his or her designee.

2. (2) The commission shall include one (1) consultant, nonvoting member who shall be the Director of Cell Therapy and Transfusion Medicine of the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences.

(c) The Governor shall designate one (1) member as chair of the commission.

(d) The chair shall call the first meeting of the commission within sixty (60) days of his or her appointment.

(e)

1. (1) At the first meeting of the commission, the members shall draw lots so that three (3) members serve two-year terms, three (3) members serve three-year terms, and three (3) members serve four-year terms.

2. (2) After the initial terms, members shall serve four-year terms.

(f) The commission shall meet at least one (1) time per year.

(g)

1. (1) A majority of the membership of the commission shall constitute a quorum.

2. (2) A majority vote of those members present shall be required for any action of the commission.

(h) Vacancies on the commission due to death, resignation, removal, or other causes shall be filled in the same manner as is provided in this section for initial appointments.