(b) The Secretary of Agriculture shall be the Chair of the Advisory Committee and the Department will provide staff support.

(c) Ex officio membership of the Advisory Committee shall include:

(1) The Secretary of Commerce, or the Secretary’s designee;

(2) The Secretary of the Environment, or the Secretary’s designee;

(3) The Secretary of Natural Resources, or the Secretary’s designee;

(4) The Director of the Maryland Energy Administration, or the Director’s designee; and

(5) The Dean of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources at the University of Maryland, or the Dean’s designee.

(d) The Secretary shall appoint committee representatives to include the poultry and livestock industries, agricultural community, environmental community, agricultural fertilizer industries, energy sector, and other areas of expertise as deemed appropriate.

(e) In consultation with the Animal Waste Technology Fund Advisory Committee, the Department shall:

(1) Develop program criteria;

(2) Review proposals; and

(3) Make project funding determinations.