(a) The governor shall appoint an advisory committee to assist the department in the performance of its duties under this chapter. The executive commissioner shall establish the size and composition of the committee by rule, consistent with federal regulations and state rules. The commissioner of assistive and rehabilitative services may also appoint ex officio members to serve for specific purposes to assist the department in the performance of its duties under this chapter.
(b) The committee shall meet and serve in accordance with department rules, but the committee shall elect its own presiding officer. The committee may be divided into regional committees to assist the department in community-level program planning and implementation under this chapter.