A. The state natural resource conservation board is established consisting of the following members who are residents of this state:
1. Eight members who are from different geographic natural resource areas as defined by a statewide organization that represents all natural resource conservation districts in this state. Four members shall be appointed by the governor, two members shall be appointed by the president of the senate and two members shall be appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives. The members appointed pursuant to this paragraph shall meet the following criteria:
(a) At least six of the members must be elected supervisors for a natural resource conservation district.
(b) Not more than two members may be appointed supervisors from a soil and water conservation district.
(c) At least one member shall be a member of the executive board of a statewide organization that represents all natural resource conservation districts in this state.
2. Three members who are appointed by the governor from any of the following and who serve at the pleasure of the governor:
(a) The state land commissioner or state land commissioner's designee.
(b) The director of the Arizona department of agriculture or the director's designee.
(c) The state forester or the state forester's designee.
(d) The director of the Arizona game and fish department or the director's designee.
B. The board shall elect a chairperson from among its members. The chairperson must be a member who represents a natural resource conservation district or soil and water conservation district.
C. The initial members of the board who are appointed pursuant to subsection A, paragraph 1 of this section shall assign themselves by lot to terms of one, two and three years in office. All subsequent members serve three-year terms. The chairperson of the board shall notify the governor's office of these terms.
D. If a member's term as a supervisor expires while serving on the board, that member may not serve out the member's term as a board member. A replacement shall be appointed from the same geographic resource area to fulfill the remainder of that member's term.
E. Board members shall be reimbursed for expenses as prescribed by title 38, chapter 4, article 2 while attending board meetings.
F. The board may appoint or contract for an administrative officer, a secretary and such other assistants as may be required, assign their duties, define their powers and determine the amount of bond required of any assistant entrusted with monies or property. The compensation of all such assistants shall be determined pursuant to section 38-611.
G. The board shall adopt a seal, which shall be judicially noticed, and shall hold public hearings, keep records of all proceedings and annual records of district operations, adopt orders and rules and perform other acts as are necessary to carry out this chapter.
H. The board shall:
1. Offer appropriate assistance to the supervisors of districts in carrying out their powers and programs.
2. Keep the supervisors of each district informed of the activities and experiences of other districts and of relevant information from other states, and facilitate cooperation and interchange of advice, experience and program opportunities between districts.
3. Coordinate the programs of the several districts insofar as possible by advice and consultation.
4. Require the supervisors of each district to file with the board annually any audits and the records of the operations of the district for the preceding year in the form and detail as the board prescribes.
5. Secure the cooperation and assistance of the United States, its agencies and agencies of this state, in the work of districts as local units of state government with special expertise concerning land, soil, water and natural resources management within the boundaries of the district, as the board deems for the best interest of the state.
6. Disseminate information throughout the state concerning the activities and program of districts.
7. Meet at least quarterly to receive updates from the board's administrative officer regarding any relevant issue or matter necessary to carry out this chapter, provide guidance to the administrative officer and vote on any matters requiring a decision by the board.
8. Assist a district when the district is cooperating or coordinating with a federal agency.
9. Assist districts with developing conservation action or district-wide plans.
10. Adopt administrative rules that the board deems necessary and proper to carry out this chapter.
I. The board may remove a district supervisor from office if the board determines, after reasonable notice and an impartial hearing, that the supervisor is guilty of misfeasance, malfeasance or nonfeasance in office. For the purposes of this subsection, "nonfeasance" includes the failure to attend three consecutive meetings of district supervisors without reasonable excuse.
J. The board, pursuant to chapter 4, article 4 of this title, may contract for or employ professional and administrative services. Contracts for professional services are exempt from chapter 23 of this title.