A. There is hereby created, as an independent body, the Commonwealth Health Research Board. The purpose of the Board shall be to provide financial support, in the form of grants, donations, or other assistance, for research efforts that have the potential of maximizing human health benefits for the citizens of the Commonwealth. Research efforts eligible for support by the Board shall include traditional medical and biomedical research relating to the causes and cures of diseases as well as research related to health services and the delivery of health care.

B. The Board shall be composed of seven members. The Governor shall appoint three members of the Board who shall be confirmed by the affirmative vote of a majority of those voting in each house of the General Assembly. The Joint Rules Committee shall appoint the other four members of the Board who shall be confirmed by the affirmative vote of a majority of those voting in each house of the General Assembly. The initial members shall be appointed for terms of office as follows: one of the members appointed by the Governor shall be appointed for a term of one year; one of the members appointed by the Joint Rules Committee shall be appointed for a term of two years; one of the members appointed by the Governor and one of the members appointed by the Joint Rules Committee shall be appointed for terms of three years; one of the members appointed by the Joint Rules Committee shall be appointed for a term of four years; and one of the members appointed by the Governor and one of the members appointed by the Joint Rules Committee shall be appointed for terms of five years. Appointments thereafter shall be for terms of five years. Vacancies in the membership of the Board shall be filled by appointment of the entity initially making the appointment for the unexpired portion of the term. No member shall be eligible to serve for more than two successive five-year terms; however, after the expiration of a term of four years or less or after the expiration of the remainder of a term to which he was appointed to fill a vacancy, two additional terms may be served by such member if appointed thereto. Immediately after such appointment, the members shall enter upon the performance of their duties.

C. The members shall have substantial experience or expertise, personal or professional, in at least one of the following areas: medicine, medical or scientific research, public policy, government, business, or education. No member shall be an incumbent elected official, state official or employee, or member of the governing board of a state agency or institution. Members of the Board need not be residents of the Commonwealth.

D. The members shall elect annually a chairman and vice-chairman from among its members. The chairman, or in his absence, the vice-chairman, shall preside at all meetings of the Board. A majority of the members of the Board serving at any one time shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. The Board shall meet annually or more frequently at the call of the chairman.

E. Notwithstanding the provisions of § 2.2-2813, members of the Board shall receive compensation for their services at the rate provided in Item 1 of Chapter 924 of the 1997 Acts of Assembly used to compensate General Assembly members for the time actually spent in the discharge of their duties and shall receive reimbursement for actual expenses incurred in the performance of their duties on behalf of the Board. Such compensation and expenses shall be paid from the Fund.

History

1997, cc. 803, 888, 891; 2000, cc. 675, 700.