5-504. Advisory council on dispute resolution; members; terms, election of officers. (a) The advisory council on dispute resolution is hereby created. The council shall be comprised of individuals from a variety of disciplines who are trained and knowledgeable in dispute resolution and shall be selected to be representative of the geographical and cultural diversity of the state and to reflect balanced gender representation. The council shall consist of no more than 19 voting members. The voting members shall include not more than six persons who are licensed to practice law in Kansas. The council shall be appointed by the chief justice of the supreme court in accordance with this section. The chief justice shall solicit nominations from Kansas judges, dispute resolution organizations, legal and mental health professional organizations, social and legal services agencies, domestic violence advocacy groups, state and local government agencies, business organizations, consumer organizations, court service officers, social workers, mental health professionals, educators and other interested groups or individuals. The chief justice is not restricted to the solicited lists of nominees in making such appointments.

(b) The initial members of the council shall be appointed for terms of one, two or three years so that the terms of not more than four voting members shall expire during the same calendar year. All successor appointments shall be made for terms of three years. Any vacancy on the council shall be filled in the same manner in which the original appointment was made and for the duration of the term vacated.

(c) The council annually shall elect a chairperson, a vice-chairperson and such other officers as deemed necessary by the council.

History: L. 1994, ch. 217, § 4; L. 1996, ch. 140, § 4; July 1.