(a)
No member of the board shall participate in any action of the board or attempt to influence any decision of the board that involves himself or herself, or any person with whom he or she is connected, as a director, officer, paid consultant, or full-time or part-time employee, or in which he or she has a financial interest within the meaning of Section 87103 of the Government Code.
(b)
No board member shall participate in any proceeding before any state or local agency as a consultant or in any other capacity on behalf of any person who engages in surface mining operations.
(c)
Upon request of any person, or on his or her own initiative, the Attorney General may file a complaint in the superior court for the county in which the board has its principal office alleging that a board member has knowingly violated this section, alleging the facts upon which the allegation is based, and asking that the member be removed from office. Further proceedings shall be in accordance as nearly as practicable with rules governing civil actions. If after trial the court finds that the board member has knowingly violated this section it shall order the member removed from office.