(a) The State Board of Registration of Foresters is continued. The members of the board in office on July 1, 2009, shall, unless sooner removed, continue to serve until their respective terms expire and until their successors have been appointed and qualified.

Terms Used In West Virginia Code 30-19-4

  • Board: means the state Board of Registration of Foresters. See West Virginia Code 30-19-3
  • Certification: means a certificate issued under the provisions of this article. See West Virginia Code 30-19-3
  • Certified: means a person holding a certification issued under the provisions of this article. See West Virginia Code 30-19-3
  • Forestry: means the professional practice embracing the science, business, and the art of creating, conserving and managing forests and forestlands for the sustained use and enjoyment of their resources, material or other forest produce. See West Virginia Code 30-19-3
  • Jurisdiction: (1) The legal authority of a court to hear and decide a case. Concurrent jurisdiction exists when two courts have simultaneous responsibility for the same case. (2) The geographic area over which the court has authority to decide cases.
  • Practice of forestry: means professional forestry services, including the consultation, investigation, evaluation, planning or responsible supervision of any forestry activities when such professional service requires the application of forestry principles and techniques. See West Virginia Code 30-19-3
  • Quorum: The number of legislators that must be present to do business.
  • Registered Forestry Technician: means a forestry technician certified under this article. See West Virginia Code 30-19-3
  • State: when applied to a part of the United States and not restricted by the context, includes the District of Columbia and the several territories, and the words "United States" also include the said district and territories. See West Virginia Code 2-2-10

(b) To be effective on July 1, 2009, the Governor shall appoint, by and with the advise and consent of the Senate, a registered forestry technician to replace the board member whose term ends on June 30, 2009.

(c) Commencing July 1, 2009, the board shall consist of the following five members:

(1) Four registered foresters; and

(2) One registered forestry technician.

(d) Each member shall be appointed by the Governor, by and with the consent of the Senate, from five nominees recommended by the West Virginia Division of the Society of American Foresters. The term is for five years.

(e) A member may not serve more than two consecutive full terms. A member having served two consecutive full terms may not be appointed for one year after completion of his or her second full term. A member may continue to serve until a successor has been appointed and qualified.

(f) Each member of the board shall be a resident of West Virginia during the appointment term.

(g) Each member must have been certified in this state for a period of not less than three years prior to his or her appointment and must have engaged in the practice of forestry for at least ten years.

(h) Each member shall maintain an active certification with the board.

(i) The Governor may remove any member from the board for neglect of duty, incompetency or official misconduct.

(j) A member of the board immediately and automatically forfeits membership to the board if his or her certification has been suspended or revoked, is convicted of a felony under the laws of any jurisdiction, or becomes a nonresident of this state.

(k) The board shall elect annually one of its members as chairperson and one member as secretary who shall serve at the will and pleasure of the board.

(l) Each member of the board is entitled to compensation and expense reimbursement in accordance with article one of this chapter.

(m) A majority of the members serving on the board constitutes a quorum.

(n) The board shall hold at least two meetings annually. Other meetings shall be held at the call of the chairperson or upon the written request of two members, at such time and place as designated in the call or request.

(o) Prior to commencing his or her duties as a member of the board, each member shall take and subscribe to the oath required by section five, article four of the Constitution of this state.