§ 250. Spinal cord injury research board. 1. A spinal cord injury research board is hereby created within the department for the purpose of administering spinal cord injury research projects and administering the spinal cord injury research trust fund created pursuant to § 99-f of the state finance law. The purpose of research projects administered by the board shall be neurological research towards a cure for such injuries and their effects. The members of the spinal cord injury research board shall include but not be limited to representatives of the following fields: neuroscience, neurology, neuro-surgery, neuro-pharmacology, and spinal cord rehabilitative medicine. The board shall be composed of thirteen members, seven of whom shall be appointed by the governor, two of whom shall be appointed by the temporary president of the senate, two of whom shall be appointed by the speaker of the assembly, one of whom shall be appointed by the minority leader of the senate, and one of whom shall be appointed by the minority leader of the assembly.

2. Board members shall be reimbursed for ordinary travel expenses, including meals and lodging, incurred in the performance of duties pursuant to section two hundred fifty-one of this title.

3. The terms of board members shall be four years commencing January first, nineteen hundred ninety-nine.

4. At the end of a term, a member shall continue to serve until a successor is appointed. A member who is appointed after a term has begun shall serve the rest of the term and until a successor is appointed. A member who serves two consecutive full four year terms shall not be eligible for reappointment for four years after completion of those terms.

5. A majority of the full authorized membership of the board shall constitute a quorum.

6. One member of the board shall be chosen by the governor to serve as chairperson.

7. Meetings of the board shall be held at least twice a year but may be held more frequently as deemed necessary, subject to call by the chairman or by request of a majority of the board members. Board meetings shall concern, among other things, policy matters relating to spinal cord injury research projects and programs, research progress reports, and other matters necessary to carry out the intent of this title.

8. Members of the board shall be indemnified pursuant to § 17 of the public officers law.