Sec 36-2902.01. Advisory council on Indian health care; membership; compensation; meetings

A. The advisory council on Indian health care is established consisting of the following members:

1. Twenty members appointed by the governor. Each Arizona Indian tribe may submit recommendations to the governor. There shall be no more than one representative from each Arizona Indian tribe. Each member shall represent an Arizona Indian tribe and shall be nominated by his tribal governing body. The governor shall make appointments from the following areas:

(a) Five tribal members who represent health care agencies. At least one of the appointees shall have experience in serving elderly clients or clients with physical disabilities.

(b) Five tribal members who represent social service agencies. At least one of the appointees shall have experience in serving elderly clients or clients with physical disabilities.

(c) Five tribal members who represent agencies serving the persons with developmental disabilities.

(d) Two tribal members who represent tribal organizations or metropolitan Indian centers.

(e) Three tribal members serving at large.

2. One representative from the Arizona health care cost containment system appointed by the director.

3. One representative from the department of health services appointed by the director of the department of health services.

4. One representative from the department of economic security appointed by the director of the department of economic security.

B. Federal representatives of the centers for medicare and medicaid services, the Indian health service, the bureau of Indian affairs, the United States department of veterans affairs and the executive office of management and budget shall be invited by the governor to serve as technical advisors to the council.

C. Except as provided in subsection A, paragraphs 2, 3 and 4, no member of the council may be an employee of this state.

D. Members of the council are not eligible to receive compensation, but members appointed pursuant to subsection A, paragraphs 1 and 2 are eligible for reimbursement of expenses pursuant to title 38, chapter 4, article 2.

E. Members appointed pursuant to subsection A, paragraph 1 shall serve staggered two year terms. A tribal member who is absent without notice from three consecutive meetings vacates his membership. The governor shall appoint a new member within thirty days from the third unexcused absence. Vacancies occurring on the council shall be filled for the balance of the term.

F. The council shall elect a chairman and vice-chairman from its membership. The chairman and vice-chairman shall be members of a federally recognized Arizona Indian tribe. The election shall be held the first Monday in October of each year. The term of office shall be one year. The council shall meet at least six times a year and may meet more often at the call of the chairman or vice-chairman. A majority of the council constitutes a quorum.

G. A member serving pursuant to subsection B is not eligible to vote and is not a member for purposes of determining whether a quorum is present.

H. Meetings are open to the public and minutes of each meeting are open for public inspection.