Standing committees shall fairly reflect the composition of the board and unless advertised and open to the public, not more than four voting members may attend a committee meeting.

(1) Executive committee. An executive committee is authorized to deal with housekeeping and personnel matters, subject to board approval at the next scheduled board meeting. The chairperson appoints the executive committee with approval of the board.

(2) Standing committees. The standing committees of the board are: Budget, executive, legislative, noxious weed, and education. The board chairperson appoints the chairperson and other members of each committee.

(3) Ad-hoc committees may be appointed from time to time.

(4) Committee voting procedures.

(a) All members of a particular committee have the right to vote. Other members in attendance may enter into discussion, but shall have no vote.

(b) Proxy voting is not permitted.

(c) All questions decided by the committee will be by majority of the committee members present.

(5) Advisory committees. Advisory committees are established by the board as deemed necessary to the functioning of the board. Advisory committees are limited in their scope to the purposes determined by the board.

(6) Notice. Notice of committee meetings shall be given to the executive secretary.

(7) Committee reports.

(a) Committee reports and recommendations are submitted to the board in writing except when committees meet in conjunction with the board.

(b) Minority reports may be submitted by members of a committee, if signed by those members.

(8) Committee compensation. Board members attending meetings of committees will, upon request, be reimbursed on the same basis as for attendance at regularly called board meetings.

(9) All committee appointments will be reviewed in January of even-numbered years.

The board has the responsibility for hiring and removing from office the executive secretary and education specialist which are exempt employees. The executive secretary or education specialist may be dismissed by a majority vote of the full board upon the recommendation of the chairperson and the executive committee. Prior to initiating a dismissal the executive committee will notify the department. Neglect of duty, gross inefficiency, gross incompetence, gross misconduct, malfeasance or willful violation of obligations may give cause for a recommendation for dismissal or dismissal. Before any action is taken by the board to dismiss the executive secretary or education specialist, the chairperson and one member of the executive committee will confer with the employee and provide in writing and fully explain the charges and contemplated recommendation for dismissal. The privilege of a hearing before the executive committee or full board will be granted to the employee prior to any formal action taken by the board. The employee is granted thirty days preparation time for the hearing and is entitled to present evidence, to be assisted by favorable witnesses, and to confront unfavorable witnesses at the hearing.

The executive secretary acts as the chief administrative officer for the board ((and)), duties of whom are fixed by the board which include, but are not limited to, as follows:

(1) Implements and administers the statutes, administrative rules, and policies of the noxious weed control program assigned to the board;

(2) Plans, develops, and prepares administrative rules and policies for the state noxious weed control program in conjunction with the board and the department; arranges public hearings in compliance with the Administrative Procedure Act and acts as chief hearing officer for the board; conducts elections for positions on the board;

(3) ((Coordinates the educational and weed control efforts of county and regional noxious weed control boards and weed districts;

(4))) Coordinates board activities with the department, maintains a liaison and performs coordinating activities with other public and private agencies;

(((5)))(4) Negotiates agreements, ((on behalf))with consultation and approval of the board, with federal agencies, tribes, and other public and private agencies;

(((6)))(5) Represents the board before the state legislature; coordinates the development, edits, and oversees the production of the biennial report to the county noxious weed boards and weed districts on how state funds were spent and recommendations for the continued best use of state funds for noxious weed control;

(((7) Plans, prepares, and presents programs on noxious weed control, specific weed species, and the role of the board;))(6) Acts as the principal spokesperson of the board to the media, technical audiences, and the public;

(((8) Maintains a collection of scientific and technical information relating to noxious weeds and integrated vegetation management; prepares written findings for the inclusion of species on the state noxious weed list;

(10)))(7) Provides technical advice to county noxious weed boards and weed districts on the state noxious weed law and related rules;

(((11)))(8) Plans and coordinates statewide approaches to selected noxious weeds, assists in the development of statewide noxious weed survey standards, coordinates efforts with department weed specialists;

(((12)))(9) Coordinates the activities of the board by scheduling all regular and committee meetings; in consultation with the chair, prepares meeting agendas; prepares all board correspondence; updates board on local, state, and federal noxious weed activities; acts as an ex officio, nonvoting member of all committees;

(((13)))(10) Records the official minutes of the board and ensures their distribution; maintains all board records, acts as public records officer;

(((14)))(11) Oversees fiscal management of the board's administrative budget and cooperates with the department in budget development;

(((15)))(12) Supervises ((all))additional board employees, approves hiring, rehiring, promotion, and termination of ((all))additional board employees and ensures these processes and any disciplinary actions comply with state and department personnel policies; notifies board and department prior to initiating an adverse personnel action against any employee;

(((16)))(13) Performs other assignments as determined by the board.

The education specialist duties whom are fixed by the board which include, but are not limited to, as follows:

(1) Supports and assists the educational and weed control efforts of county and regional noxious weed control boards and weed districts;

(2) Plans, prepares, and presents programs on noxious weed control, specific weed species, and the role of the board;

(3) Maintains a collection of scientific and technical information relating to noxious weeds and integrated vegetation management; prepares written findings for the inclusion of species on the state noxious weed list;

(4) Develops, maintains, and ensures dissemination of information relating to noxious weeds to county noxious weed control boards and weed districts and keeps the general public and program participants informed of board activities and accomplishments;

(5) Performs other assignments as determined by the board.