(a) There is established in the Department of Business Oversight an Escrow Law Advisory Committee consisting of 11 members. The members shall consist of the commissioner or his or her designee; the chairman of the board and the immediate past chairman of the board for the Escrow Agents’ Fidelity Corporation; the current chairman of the board and the immediate past chairman of the board for the Escrow Institute of California; a person selected by the commissioner to represent a different type of business ownership under this division; a person selected by the commissioner to represent a different type of business specialization; a person selected by the commissioner to represent small businesses operating pursuant to this division; a person selected by the commissioner to represent medium-sized businesses operating pursuant to this division; an attorney at law experienced in escrow matters selected by the commissioner; and a certified public accountant experienced in the escrow business selected by the commissioner.

Except for the members from the Escrow Agents’ Fidelity Corporation and the Escrow Institute of California, members appointed by the commissioner shall serve for a term of two years.

The committee shall meet at least quarterly. The commissioner or his or her designee shall chair the committee. All members shall serve without compensation or reimbursement for expenses.

Where the chairman of the board or the immediate past chairman of the board of the Escrow Agents’ Fidelity Corporation is the same person, or is unable to serve on the advisory committee, then the commissioner, after consultation with the board of directors of the Escrow Agents’ Fidelity Corporation, shall choose a member of the board of directors to serve on the committee. Where the president or past president of the Escrow Institute of California is the same person, or is unable to serve on the advisory committee, then the commissioner, after consultation with the board of directors of the Escrow Institute of California, shall choose a member of the board of directors to serve on the committee.

(b) The purpose of the committee is to assist the commissioner in the implementation of the commissioner’s duties under this chapter.

(Amended by Stats. 2015, Ch. 190, Sec. 38. (AB 1517) Effective January 1, 2016.)