Section 8256 - Established, membership, chair(a) There is established in state government the Commission on Asian and Pacific Islander American Affairs, which shall be comprised of 13 members appointed in accordance with subdivision (b) and shall conduct its business in accordance with this chapter.(b)(1) The members of the commission shall be individuals with knowledge or expertise of the APIA community, whether by experience or training, and who are representative of that community in the state, both geographically and demographically.(2) Commission members shall be appointed as follows: (A) Four members, appointed by the Senate Committee on Rules.(B) Four members, appointed by the Speaker of the Assembly.(C) Five members, appointed by the Governor. The Governor's appointees shall not be subject to confirmation by the Senate.(3) The Senate Committee on Rules and the Speaker of the Assembly shall make one appointment each from a pool of three nominees selected for each of the respective positions by the Asian and Pacific Islander Legislative Caucus.(4) Appointments shall be made during the 2003 calendar year. The terms of commission members shall commence on January 1, 2004.(5)(A) Subject to subparagraph (B), commission members shall serve for terms of four years.(B) Of the initial appointments by the Governor, four members shall serve four-year terms, and one member shall serve a two-year term. Of the initial appointments by the Senate Committee on Rules and the Speaker of the Assembly, two members appointed by each appointing power shall serve four-year terms, and two members appointed by each appointing power shall serve two-year terms.(6) Any vacancy in the membership of the commission shall not affect the powers of the commission and shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment.(c) The chair of the commission shall be elected by a majority of the appointed members of the commission at the first official meeting of the commission, and shall serve a term of one year or until a successor is elected, whichever occurs later.(d) The commission may appoint an executive director who shall be exempt from civil service.Amended by Stats 2020 ch 264 (AB 107),s 1, eff. 9/29/2020.Added by Stats 2002 ch 716 (AB 116),s 1, eff. 1/1/2003.