(a)

(1) A board of certification is established for the administration of the certification program.

(2) The board is charged with the responsibility of conducting all work necessary to promote the program and maintain records, and shall also promulgate rules and regulations required in performing its obligations.

(b)

(1) Such board shall be composed of the following members, appointed by the governor:

(A) One (1) member shall be a certified operator of a water or wastewater system who holds a certificate of the highest class issued by the board, who may be appointed from lists of qualified persons submitted by interested water and wastewater groups including, but not limited to, the Tennessee Water and Wastewater Association;

(B) One (1) member shall be a certified operator of a water or wastewater utility district, who may be appointed from lists of qualified persons submitted by interested utility district groups including, but not limited to, the Tennessee Association of Utility Districts;

(C) One (1) member shall be a person knowledgeable about water or wastewater systems with experience working for such systems, who may be appointed from lists of qualified persons submitted by interested municipal groups including, but not limited to, the Tennessee Municipal League;

(D) One member shall be a faculty member of a college, university or state technical institute whose major field is related to water or wastewater systems, who may be appointed from lists of qualified persons submitted by interested engineering groups including, but not limited to, the Tennessee Society of Professional Engineers; and

(E) The commissioner or such qualified member of the commissioner's staff as the commissioner may designate.

(2) The governor shall consult with interested groups, including, but not limited to, the organizations listed in subdivision (b)(1) to determine qualified persons to fill positions on the board.

(c)

(1) Board members shall serve for three-year terms except as designated herein, and all appointments shall expire on June 30 of the appropriate year. A board member shall continue to serve, however, until a successor has been appointed, or until the board member has been reappointed.

(2) Appointments to succeed a board member who is unable to serve such board member's full term shall be for the remainder of that term.

(3) Board members may be reappointed, but they do not succeed themselves automatically.

(4) Appointments to the board for the remainder of an unexpired term, and reappointments shall be made in the same manner as under subsection (b).

(5) Any board member who moves from Tennessee is automatically terminated from the board.

(d) At the first meeting each year after July 1, the board shall elect from its membership a chair and vice chair.

(e) The director of the division of water resources or the director's designated representative shall serve as secretary of the board and be responsible for maintaining records.

(f) Each member of the board, other than the ex officio member, shall be entitled to be paid fifty dollars ($50.00) for attendance at each meeting of the board at which a quorum is present and for actual and necessary expenses incurred. All reimbursement for travel expenses shall be in accordance with the comprehensive travel regulations as promulgated by the department of finance and administration and approved by the attorney general and reporter.

(g) A quorum of the board shall be at least three (3) members.