(a) There is in the state government an authority known as the California Educational Facilities Authority. The authority constitutes a public instrumentality and the exercise by the authority of the powers conferred by this chapter shall be deemed and held to be the performance of an essential public function.

(b) The authority shall consist of five members: the Director of Finance, the Controller, the Treasurer, who shall serve as chairperson of the authority, and two members appointed by the Governor to serve for terms of four years; provided that the terms of the members first appointed shall be arranged by the Governor so that such terms shall expire on April 30 in different years. One of the members appointed by the Governor shall be affiliated with a public institution of higher education as a governing board member or in an administrative capacity and the other member shall be affiliated with a private institution of higher education as a governing board member or in an administrative capacity. Each member shall hold office for the term of his or her appointment and shall continue to serve during the term of his or her successor unless and until his or her successor shall have been appointed and qualified. Any vacancy among the members appointed by the Governor shall be filled by appointment for the unexpired term only. A member of the authority shall be eligible for reappointment.

(c) Any member of the authority appointed by the Governor may be removed from office by the Governor for cause after a public hearing.

(d) The members of the authority shall serve without compensation, but the authority may reimburse its members for necessary expenses incurred in the discharge of their duties.

(e) The authority, upon the first appointment of its members and thereafter on or after April 30 in each year, shall annually elect from among its members a vice chairperson who shall hold office until April 30 next ensuing and shall continue to serve during the term of his or her successor unless and until his or her successor shall have been appointed and qualified.

(f) The Director of Finance may designate a deputy or other official in the Department of Finance to act for him or her and represent him or her at all meetings of the authority.

(Amended by Stats. 2008, Ch. 211, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 2009.)