§ 23-28.3-2. Fire safety code board of appeal and review - Composition - Appointment, terms, and removal of members. (a) There is hereby created a fire safety code board of appeal and review, consisting of eleven (11) members who shall be appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the senate. Of the members of the board of appeal and review, one shall be a representative of the permanent fire chief, one shall be a representative of the building inspectors, one shall represent industry, one shall represent labor, one shall be a licensed architect, one shall be a licensed professional engineer, one shall be a representative of the fire protection industry, one shall be a representative of the volunteer fire chiefs, and three (3) shall be representatives of the public; provided, however, that one shall be an officer, partner, or proprietor of a Rhode Island company that is a small business as defined by the United States Small Business Administration. The governor shall designate one member of the board to be chairperson for a two (2) year term. The members of the board shall be chosen and shall hold office for six (6) years, and until their respective successors are appointed and qualified. In the month of February in each year, the governor shall appoint successors to the members of the board whose terms shall expire in that year, to hold office until the first day of March in the sixth year after their appointments, and until their respective successors are appointed and qualified. Any vacancy which may occur in the board shall be filled by appointment for the remainder of the unexpired term in the same manner as the original appointment. The members of the board at their first annual meeting shall elect such other officers as they may deem necessary. A member of the board may be removed by the governor only for cause and after filing of charges, notification thereof to the member, a hearing thereon before the state personnel appeal board, and the filing of findings by the board.

(b) The actions on appeals shall be determined by a majority vote by members present with at least five (5) members in accord on any decision.

(c) The chairperson of the board may appoint such subordinates and clerical and other assistants as may be necessary for the proper performance of its duties, within the limit of available appropriations therefor, all of which appointments shall be in the unclassified service; provided, however, that the chairperson of the board, subject to the provisions of chapter 4 of title 36, shall be the appointing authority for the executive director, who shall be in the classified service.

History of Section. (P.L. 1966, ch. 216, § 1; G.L. 1956, § 23-28.3-4; P.L. 1975, ch. 165, § 16; P.L. 1977, ch. 109, § 1; P.L. 1980, ch. 363, § 1; P.L. 2008, ch. 215, § 1; P.L. 2008, ch. 322, § 1.)