California Air Resources Board

Background 

State law (Health and Safety Code Section 39700) required that CARB establish the RSC to provide peer review, give advice, and recommendations on proposed and completed research projects funded by the state and subject to approval by the Board. The RSC consists of physicians, scientists, biologist, chemist, engineers, meteorologists, and other subject matter experts that have the knowledge necessary to effectively advise on CARB’s health, environmental justice, air quality, and climate research.

RSC Members’ Functions, Responsibilities, and Compensation

• Each Committee member is subject to four-year term with the potential for re-appointment for up to three terms. Terms are staggered.
• The Committee is subject to the Bagley-Keene Open Meeting Act, which requires to publicly post meeting notices, prepare agendas, accept public testimony, and conduct meetings in public unless specifically authorized to meet in closed session. 
• Committee members must be available to attend online meetings and have access to a personal computer and internet connection. One mandatory standing meeting bimonthly with a minimum attendance of 75% over a year (exceptions for illness).
• The Committee meets approximately six times a year to review and provide comments on proposed new research projects (research proposals) and completed research projects (draft final reports).
  • Committee members review assigned draft final reports or research proposal & provide comments.
  • Committee members may be requested to provide additional guidance or conduct additional reviews or tasks.
• The meetings are generally half-day teleconference meetings; and on a rare occasion, members may be asked to attend a meeting in person at a specified location.
• Approximate time commitment for preparation and meeting participation varies; however, each Committee meeting may require between 10-15 hours in total.  With four meetings per year at 10-15 hours per meeting, total annual time commitment is between 40-60 hours. 
• Members of the Committee are compensated $100 per day for each day they attend a meeting to perform their duties. In addition to the compensation, Committee members receive the necessary travel expenses incurred while performing their duties.
• Committee members must abide by any conflict-of-interest requirements including restriction on receiving CARB research contracts during tenure on the committee.
• Committee members must live in the United States (US) and be authorized to work in the US.