(a) Establishment.--The department shall establish the Mine Families First Response and Communication Advisory Council. The council shall be comprised of at least the following members:

Each member shall be appointed by the Governor, with the exception of the two at-large members, one of whom shall be appointed by the President pro tempore of the Senate and the other of whom shall be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives. All members must be residents of this Commonwealth. One alternate member shall be appointed for each member and shall take the place of the respective member whenever that member is unable to attend an official meeting.

(b) Terms.--Each member shall serve for a period of three years. A member upon expiration of that member's term shall continue to serve until a successor is appointed.

(c) Duties.--The advisory council shall assist the department in developing the initial mine families first response and communication plan and provide assistance in periodic review and updating of the plan. The advisory council shall assist in reviewing how the plan was used in the event of an actual mine emergency and offer recommendations to the department for any needed changes to the plan resulting from its review.

(d) Expenses.--Advisory council members shall not receive a salary but shall be reimbursed for all necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties. An alternate may not be reimbursed unless the alternate serves in place of the appointed member.

(e) Meetings.--All actions of the advisory council shall be by majority vote of the members or alternates present. A quorum shall be at least one more than half the number of the advisory council members; however, vacancies shall not be counted when calculating the number needed for a quorum. The advisory council shall elect a chairperson from among its members. The advisory council shall meet upon the call of the chairperson, after a mine emergency, or at least annually.