(a) The Certification Program Advisory Committee is hereby established. Within 30 days of the effective date of this section, the secretary shall appoint members to the Certification Program Advisory Committee as follows:

(b) The committee shall comprise:

(c) The secretary may appoint additional persons to the committee beyond seventeen members, but no more than two additional members, on a temporary basis to address specific issues at his discretion or at the board's request.

(d) The committee shall be provided with an opportunity to provide written comments and recommendations to the board and the department on regulatory proposals and department guidance. The committee may provide written comments and recommendations related to operator certification issues at the board's or the department's request. A representative of the committee may request that an issue be considered and that appropriate assignments be made to the committee for consideration.

(e) The committee members shall elect a chairman annually by majority vote and shall serve without compensation other than reimbursement for actual and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties, in accordance with Commonwealth policy or regulations. The committee shall hold its first meeting within sixty days of the effective date of this section. It shall meet quarterly unless the secretary determines that a more or less frequent meeting schedule is in the best interest of the department or the board.