SECTION 1. Section 2 of Chapter 21I of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after the definition of “Agency” the following definition –

“Board”, the science advisory board of the Department of Environmental Protection.

SECTION 2. Section 3 of said chapter 21I, as so appearing, is hereby amended by adding, at the end thereof the following subsection: –

(K) There shall be a science advisory board within the department consisting of twelve members appointed by the governor, three members shall be nominated by the secretary of the executive office of energy and environmental affairs (three year term), three members shall be nominated by the secretary of the executive office of housing and economic development (three  year term), two   members shall be nominated by the Speaker of the House (two year term), two members shall be nominated by nominated by the President of the Senate (two year term), one member shall be nominated by the director of labor and workforce development (one year term), and one member shall be nominated by the secretary of the executive office of health and human services (one year term). Members must have professional expertise in one of the following areas:  chemistry, chemical engineering, toxicology, risk analysis, materials science, pollution prevention, chemical synthesis, nanotechnology, environmental health, biochemistry, biology, or environmental science. The board shall advise the council on issues including, but not limited to, designation of substances as higher hazard substances and lower hazard substances.

The members of the board shall serve without compensation, except that they may be reimbursed for out-of-pocket expenses incurred in the course of performing their duties as board members.  The board shall advise the council as to which substances from the list of toxic or hazardous substances established pursuant to section 9 should be designated as higher

hazard substances or lower hazard substances.

SECTION 3.  This act shall take effect upon its passage.