(a) In implementing the program, the department and the agency shall establish a Scientific Guidance Panel. The panel shall be composed of nine members, whose expertise shall encompass the disciplines of public health, epidemiology, biostatistics, environmental medicine, risk analysis, exposure assessment, developmental biology, laboratory sciences, bioethics, maternal and child health with a specialty in breastfeeding, and toxicology.

(b) The Governor shall appoint five members to the panel, the Senate Committee on Rules shall appoint two members, and the Speaker of the Assembly shall appoint two members. The appointments shall be made after soliciting recommendations of the Office of the President of the University of California.

(c) All members shall be appointed to the panel by September 1, 2007. Members shall be appointed for three-year terms, except that, with respect to the initial appointees each appointing power shall appoint one member for a one-year term and one member for a two-year term. Members may be reappointed for additional terms without limitation.

(d) The panel shall meet as often as it deems necessary, with consideration of available resources, but at a minimum, three times per year. The office shall be responsible for staffing and administration of the panel.

(e) The panel meetings shall be open to the public and be subject to the Bagley-Keene Open Meetings Act (Article 9 (commencing with Section 11120) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code).

(f)  Members of the panel shall be reimbursed for travel and other necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties under this chapter, but shall not receive a salary or compensation.

(Added by Stats. 2006, Ch. 599, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 2007.)