Article 1.5. Rendering Industry Advisory Board of California Food And Agricultural Code >> Division 9. >> Part 3. >> Chapter 5. >> Article 1.5.

(a) There is in state government a Rendering Industry Advisory Board consisting of seven persons, appointed by the secretary, six of whom are licensed under this chapter and are subject to payment of the rendering program licensing fees in accordance with this chapter, including, but not limited to, licensed renderers, dead haulers, and transporters of inedible kitchen grease. The secretary shall appoint one other member to the board who shall be a public member. Any vacancy in the office of a public member of the board shall be filled by appointment by the secretary.
  (b) At least one of the six licensee members appointed by the secretary pursuant to subdivision (a) shall have experience and expertise in alternative uses of rendered products, including, but not limited to, use as energy, alternative fuels, lubricants, and other nontraditional uses.
  (c) The public member appointed by the secretary pursuant to subdivision (a) shall have experience and expertise in one or more of the following:
  (1) Water quality.
  (2) Publicly owned treatment works and water infrastructure.
  (3) Law enforcement.
  (d) The members of the board shall receive no salary, but are entitled to payment of necessary traveling expenses in accordance with Department of Personnel Administration rules and regulations. These expenses shall be paid out of appropriations made to the department for that purpose.

The term of office of the members of the board is three years. When the board is first appointed, three members shall be appointed for three years, two members for two years, and two members for one year. Thereafter, appointments shall be for full three-year terms. Vacancies shall be filled for an unexpired term.

The board shall elect a chairperson, and from time to time any other officers as it may deem advisable.

(a) The board shall meet at the call of its chairperson or the secretary or at the request of any three members of the board. The board shall meet at least once a year.
  (b) A quorum of the board shall be five members. A vote of the majority of the members present at a meeting at which there is a quorum shall constitute an act of the board.
  (c) No member, or any employee or agent thereof, shall be personally liable for the actions of the board or responsible individually in any way for errors in judgment, mistakes, or other acts, either by commission or omission, except for his or her own individual acts of dishonesty or crime.

(a) The board shall advise the secretary and may make recommendations to the secretary concerning all of the following:
  (1) Adoption, modification, and repeal of regulations and procedures.
  (2) Procedures for employment, training, supervision, and compensation of inspectors and other personnel.
  (3) Rate and collection of license fees and penalties related thereto.
  (4) Acquisition and use of equipment.
  (5) Posting and noticing changes in bylaws, general procedures, or orders.
  (6) All matters pertaining to this chapter, including, but not limited to, the inspection and enforcement program, annual budget, necessary fees to provide adequate services, and regulations required to accomplish the purposes of the chapter.
  (b) The board shall keep accurate books and records of its activities, which shall be subject to annual audit by an auditing firm approved by the secretary. The audit shall be made a part of an annual report submitted to all persons licensed under this chapter. The books and records shall be available for audit during regular business hours upon request of the secretary.

Persons subject to this chapter shall not have access to any information in the possession of any entity or entities established or designated pursuant to this chapter that would disclose proprietary information regarding any other person subject to this article, including, but not limited to, material test results, individual fee or license payments, rendering process, or formula information.

(a) The secretary shall adopt regulations to be used by the board to administer this article.
  (b) In adopting regulations and procedures, the secretary shall accept the recommendations of the board if he or she finds them to be practicable and in the interest of the rendering industry and the public.

The secretary shall, within 30 days of receiving a recommendation from the board in accordance with this article, provide the board with notice of the acceptance of the recommendation or with a written statement of the reasons for denial if he or she does not accept the recommendation.