(a)
A nine-member Scientific Review Panel on Toxic Air Contaminants shall be appointed to advise the state board and the Department of Pesticide Regulation in their evaluation of the health effects toxicity of substances pursuant to Article 3 (commencing with Section 39660) of this chapter and Article 1.5 (commencing with Section 14021) of Chapter 3 of Division 7 of the Food and Agricultural Code.
(b)
The members of the panel shall be highly qualified and professionally active or engaged in the conduct of scientific research, and shall be appointed as follows, subject to Section 39671, for a term of three years:
(1)
Five members shall be appointed by the Secretary for Environmental Protection, one of whom shall be qualified as a pathologist, one of whom shall be qualified as an oncologist, one of whom shall be qualified as an epidemiologist, one of whom shall be qualified as an atmospheric scientist, and one of whom shall have relevant scientific experience and shall be experienced in the operation of scientific review or advisory bodies.
(2)
Two members shall be appointed by the Senate Committee on Rules, one of whom shall be qualified as a biostatistician and one of whom shall be a physician or scientist specializing in occupational medicine.
(3)
Two members shall be appointed by the Speaker of the Assembly, one of whom shall be qualified as a toxicologist and one of whom shall be qualified as a biochemist or molecular biologist.
(4)
Members of the panel shall be appointed from a pool of nominees submitted to each appointing body by the President of the University of California. The pool shall include, at a minimum, three nominees for each discipline represented on the panel, and shall include only individuals who hold, or have held, academic or equivalent appointments at universities and their affiliates in California.
(c)
The Secretary for Environmental Protection shall appoint a member of the panel to serve as chairperson.
(d)
The panel may utilize special consultants or establish ad hoc committees, which may include other scientists, to assist it in performing its functions.
(e)
Members of the panel, and any ad hoc committee established by the panel, shall submit annually a financial disclosure statement that includes a listing of income received within the preceding three years, including investments, grants, and consulting fees derived from individuals or businesses which might be affected by regulatory actions undertaken by the state board or districts pursuant to this chapter. The financial disclosure statements submitted pursuant to this subdivision are public information. Members of the panel shall be subject to the disqualification requirements of Section 87100 of the Government Code.
(f)
Members of the panel shall receive one hundred dollars ($100) per day for attending panel meetings and meetings of the state board, or upon authorization of the chairperson of the state board while on official business of the panel, and shall be reimbursed for actual and necessary travel expenses incurred in the performance of their duties.
(g)
The state board and the office, and, in the case of economic poisons, the Department of Pesticide Regulation, shall provide sufficient resources for support of the panel, including technical, administrative, and clerical support, which shall include, but not be limited to, office facilities and staff sufficient for the maintenance of files, scheduling of meetings, arrangement of travel accommodations, and preparation of panel findings, as required by subdivision (b) of Section 39661.