§ 5-51-2. Board — Creation — Composition — Appointment, terms, and qualifications of members
— Duties — Compensation.
(a)(1) There is established a state board of landscape architects that consists of seven
(7) members.
(2) On May 19, 1975, the governor shall appoint one member to serve until the first day
of February, 1976, or until his or her successor is appointed and qualified; one member
to serve until the first day of February, 1977, or until his or her successor is appointed
and qualified; one member to serve until the first day of February, 1978, or until
his or her successor is appointed and qualified; one member to serve until the first
day of February, 1979, or until his or her successor is appointed and qualified; and
one member to serve until February, 1980, or until his or her successor is appointed
and qualified.
(3) Upon completion of the original term, the terms of members identified in subsection
(a)(2) shall be for five (5) years.
(4) One member of the board shall be from the general public. This member shall serve
for terms of five (5) years.
(5) Four (4) members of the board shall be landscape architects whose residences and principal
places of business shall be within this state, who have been actively engaged in the
practice of landscape architecture within this state. The original appointees to the
board do not need to be registered but engaged in the practice of landscape architecture
for a minimum of four (4) years.
(6) The governor may remove any member from office for misconduct, incapacity, or neglect
of duty.
(b) During the month of July of each year, the board shall elect from its members a chairperson
and a vice chairperson.
(c) The board shall keep a true and complete record of all its proceedings.
(d) Subject to the approval of the director, the board may make all necessary regulations
and bylaws not inconsistent with this chapter.
(e) In carrying into effect the provisions of this chapter, the director may subpoena
witnesses and compel their attendance and may require the production of books, papers,
and documents in any proceeding involving the revocation of registration, or practicing
or offering to practice without registration.
(1) The director may administer oaths or affirmations to witnesses appearing before the
director.
(2) If any person fails to appear in response to that process, or if, having appeared
in obedience to the process, he or she refuses to answer any pertinent questions put
to him or her by any member of the board or department, he or she, upon presentation
of those facts to the superior court, shall be subject to any fines and penalties
that might be imposed by the court if that failure or refusal occurred in any civil
action pending in that court.
(f) Subject to the director's approval, the board may establish a procedure for complaints
concerning any licensed or certified landscape architects.
(g) Subject to the director's approval, the board shall establish procedures and programs
in conjunction with the department of environmental management and may annually publish
a report of its activities, operations, and recommendations.
(h) Members of the board shall not be compensated for meetings attended.
(i) The state shall indemnify the department and/or board and the members, employees,
or agents thereof, and hold them harmless from, any and all costs, damages, and reasonable
attorney's fees arising from or related in any way to claims or actions or other legal
proceedings taken against them for any actions taken in good faith in the intended
performance of any power granted under this chapter or for any neglect or default
in the performance or exercise in good faith of that power.