A committee is hereby established to advise the Governor on the administration of the Department’s Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program, and on the Department’s compliance with workforce equal opportunity goals. The committee shall have 8 members appointed by the Governor with the concurrence of the Senate, as follows: one member shall be chosen from a civic organization whose purpose is to assure equal opportunity in the workforce; and 7 members shall be chosen from industry, 5 of whom shall be owners of certified disadvantaged business enterprises.
     The committee shall report to the Governor semi-annually, and shall advise the General Assembly annually of the status of the Department’s administration of the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program and on the Department’s compliance with workforce equal opportunity goals.
     The activities of the committee shall encompass the review of issues, concerns, questions, policies and procedures pertaining to the administration of the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program and the Department’s compliance with workforce equal opportunity goals.
     Members’ expenses associated with committee activities shall be reimbursed at the State rate.