17C-21. North Carolina Criminal Justice Fellows Committee established; membership.

(a) Committee Established. - There is established the North Carolina Criminal Justice Fellows Committee. The Committee shall be a Special Committee of the North Carolina Criminal Justice Education and Training Standards Commission, as defined in the Commission's bylaws. The Committee shall determine program and forgivable loan recipient selection criteria, selection procedures, and shall select the recipients to receive forgivable loans under the North Carolina Criminal Justice Fellows Program in accordance with the requirements of this Article.

(b) Membership. - The Committee shall consist of 10 members who shall be appointed as follows:

(1) The chair of the Commission shall appoint eight members of the Commission to the Committee as follows:

a. Three at-large members.

b. Two sworn law enforcement officers.

c. Two correctional officers.

d. The ex officio member representing the President of The North Carolina Community College System.

(2) The chair of the North Carolina Sheriffs' Education and Training Standards Commission shall appoint two members of the North Carolina Sheriffs' Education and Training Standards Commission to the Committee.

(c) Terms of Office. - Appointments to the Committee shall be for two-year terms, commencing July 1, 2018.

(d) Chair; Meetings. - The chair of the Commission shall call the first meeting of the Committee. The Committee members shall elect a chair and a vice-chair from the membership of the Committee pursuant to the Commission's bylaws to serve one-year terms. The Committee shall meet regularly at times and places deemed necessary by the chair or, in the absence of the chair, by the vice-chair.

(e) Expenses. - Committee members shall receive per diem, subsistence, and travel allowances in accordance with G.S. 138-5 or G.S. 138-6, as appropriate.

(f) Vacancies. - Except as otherwise provided, if a vacancy occurs in the membership of the Committee, the appointing authority shall appoint another person meeting the same qualifications to serve for the balance of the unexpired term.