§ 5-51-2. Board - Creation - Composition - Appointment, terms, and qualifications of members - Duties - Compensation. (a)(1) There is established a state board of landscape architects that consists of seven (7) members.

(2) On May 19, 1975, the governor shall appoint one member to serve until the first day of February, 1976, or until his or her successor is appointed and qualified; one member to serve until the first day of February, 1977, or until his or her successor is appointed and qualified; one member to serve until the first day of February, 1978, or until his or her successor is appointed and qualified; one member to serve until the first day of February, 1979, or until his or her successor is appointed and qualified; and one member to serve until February, 1980, or until his or her successor is appointed and qualified.

(3) Upon completion of the original term, the terms of members identified in subsection (a)(2) shall be for five (5) years.

(4) One member of the board shall be from the general public. This member shall serve for terms of five (5) years.

(5) Four (4) members of the board shall be landscape architects whose residences and principal places of business shall be within this state, who have been actively engaged in the practice of landscape architecture within this state. The original appointees to the board do not need to be registered but engaged in the practice of landscape architecture for a minimum of four (4) years.

(6) The governor may remove any member from office for misconduct, incapacity, or neglect of duty.

(b) During the month of July of each year, the board shall elect from its members a chairperson and a vice chairperson.

(c) The board shall keep a true and complete record of all its proceedings.

(d) Subject to the approval of the director, the board may make all necessary regulations and bylaws not inconsistent with this chapter.

(e) In carrying into effect the provisions of this chapter, the director may subpoena witnesses and compel their attendance and may require the production of books, papers, and documents in any proceeding involving the revocation of registration, or practicing or offering to practice without registration.

(1) The director may administer oaths or affirmations to witnesses appearing before the director.

(2) If any person fails to appear in response to that process, or if, having appeared in obedience to the process, he or she refuses to answer any pertinent questions put to him or her by any member of the board or department, he or she, upon presentation of those facts to the superior court, shall be subject to any fines and penalties that might be imposed by the court if that failure or refusal occurred in any civil action pending in that court.

(f) Subject to the director's approval, the board may establish a procedure for complaints concerning any licensed or certified landscape architects.

(g) Subject to the director's approval, the board shall establish procedures and programs in conjunction with the department of environmental management and may annually publish a report of its activities, operations, and recommendations.

(h) Members of the board shall not be compensated for meetings attended.

(i) The state shall indemnify the department and/or board and the members, employees, or agents thereof, and hold them harmless from, any and all costs, damages, and reasonable attorney's fees arising from or related in any way to claims or actions or other legal proceedings taken against them for any actions taken in good faith in the intended performance of any power granted under this chapter or for any neglect or default in the performance or exercise in good faith of that power.

History of Section. (P.L. 1975, ch. 183, § 1; P.L. 1980, ch. 226, § 11; P.L. 1999, ch. 354, § 16; P.L. 2000, ch. 55, art. 14, § 3; P.L. 2000, ch. 109, § 3; P.L. 2005, ch. 117, art. 21, § 16; P.L. 2012, ch. 34, § 2; P.L. 2013, ch. 298, § 4; P.L. 2013, ch. 378, § 4.)