(a) There shall be a Board of Governors of the New York State Fee Dispute Resolution Program.

(b) The board of governors shall consist of 18 members, to be designated from the following: 12 members of the bar of the State of New York and six members of the public who are not lawyers. Members of the bar may include judges and justices of the New York State Unified Court System.

Appointing officials shall give consideration to appointees who have some background in alternative dispute resolution.

(c) The Chief Judge shall designate the chairperson.

(d) Board members shall serve for terms of three years and shall be eligible for reappointment. The initial terms of service shall be designated by the Chief Judge such that six members serve one-year terms, six members serve two-year terms, and six members serve three-year terms. A person appointed to fill a vacancy occurring other than by expiration of a term of office shall be appointed for the unexpired term of the member he or she succeeds.

(e) A majority of current members of the board of governors shall constitute a quorum.

(f) Members of the board of governors shall serve without compensation but shall be reimbursed for their reasonable, actual and direct expenses incurred in furtherance of their official duties.

(g) The board of governors, with the approval of the four Presiding Justices of the Appellate Divisions, shall adopt such guidelines and standards as may be necessary and appropriate for the operation of programs under this Part, including, but not limited to: accrediting arbitral bodies to provide fee dispute resolution services under this Part; prescribing standards regarding the training and qualifications of arbitrators; monitoring the operation and performance of arbitration programs to insure their conformance with the guidelines and standards established by this Part and by the board of governors; and submission by arbitral bodies of annual reports in writing to the board of governors.

(h) The board of governors shall submit to the Administrative Board of the Courts an annual report in such form as the Administrative Board shall require.