2005 Vermont Code - § 311. — Creation of the Vermont housing and conservation board

§ 311. Creation of the Vermont housing and conservation board

(a) There is created and established a body politic and corporate to be known as the "Vermont housing and conservation board" to carry out the provisions of this chapter. The board is constituted a public instrumentality exercising public and essential governmental functions, and the exercise by the board of the powers conferred by this chapter shall be deemed and held to be the performance of an essential governmental function of the state. The board is exempt from licensure under chapter 73 of Title 8.

(b) The board shall consist of nine members, including ex officio the secretary of agriculture, food and markets, the secretary of commerce and community development, the secretary of natural resources and the executive director of the Vermont housing finance agency, or their designees, and five public members who shall be residents of the state and who shall in the opinion of the governor be experienced in creating affordable housing or conserving and protecting Vermont's agricultural land, historic properties, important natural areas or recreational lands. At least one member shall be a representative of lower income Vermonters and one member shall be a farmer as defined in 32 V.S.A. § 3752(7). The public members shall be appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the senate for three-year terms beginning on February 1 of the year in which the appointment is made, except that the first members appointed by the governor to the board shall be appointed, one for a term of one year, two for a term of two years and two for a term of three years. Vacancies shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment for the unexpired portion of the term vacated.

(c) Annually, the board shall elect from among its public members a chair and vicechair. The board may elect such officers as it may determine. Meetings shall be held at the call of the chair or at the request of three members. A majority of the sitting members shall constitute a quorum and action taken by the board under the provisions of this chapter may be authorized by a majority of the members present and voting at any regular or special meeting.

(d) Members other than ex officio members shall be entitled to per diem authorized under 32 V.S.A. § 1010 for each day spent in the performance of their duties and each such member shall be reimbursed from the fund for his or her reasonable expenses incurred in carrying out his or her duties under this chapter.

(e) The board shall employ an executive director to administer, manage and direct the affairs and business of the board, subject to the policies, control and direction of the members. The board may employ technical experts and such other officers, agents and employees as are necessary to effect the purposes of this chapter, and may fix their qualifications, duties and compensation. The board shall use the office of the attorney general for legal services. (Added 1987, No. 88, § 1, eff. June 11, 1987; amended 1987, No. 203 (Adj. Sess.), § 18, eff. May 27, 1988; 1995, No. 190 (Adj. Sess.), § 1(b); 2003, No. 42, § 2, eff. May 27, 2003.)