(a)    In this section, “Board” means the Citizens’ Advisory Board for Legislative Ethics established under subsection (b) of this section.

(b)    (1)    There is a Citizens’ Advisory Board for Legislative Ethics.

(2)    The Board consists of the following members:

(i)    a member of the public who shall serve as the chair, appointed jointly by the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House;

(ii)    two members of the public, appointed by the President of the Senate; and

(iii)    two members of the public, appointed by the Speaker of the House.

(3)    (i)    A member of the Board:

1.    shall be a resident of the State;

2.    may not be a State or local elected official; and

3.    may not be a regulated lobbyist.

(ii)    No more than two members of the Board at any one time may be former members of the General Assembly.

(iii)    The members of the Board shall be chosen so that each political party is represented in approximately the same proportion as the party is represented in the General Assembly.

(iv)    In appointing members of the Board, the presiding officers shall seek individuals with a knowledge of or background in public ethics.

(4)    (i)    The term of a member of the Board is 2 years and begins on January 1 of each even–numbered year.

(ii)    At the end of a term, a member continues to serve until a successor is appointed and qualifies.

(iii)    A member who is appointed after a term has begun serves only for the rest of the term and until a successor is appointed and qualifies.

(5)    With the consent of the Legislative Policy Committee, the President and Speaker may remove a member for incompetence or misconduct.

(c)    The Board shall regularly offer recommendations to the Committee and the presiding officers regarding changes to the Public Ethics Law, the policies and procedures of the Committee, and public advisory opinions of the Committee.