There is hereby created and established a special council to be known as the Alabama Drug Education and Awareness Oversight Council, hereinafter referred to as the council, which shall have the powers, duties, and authority provided in this chapter.

(a) The council shall be composed of sixteen members, as follows:

(1) Two persons appointed by the Governor.

(2) Two members of the House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker of the House.

(3) Two members of the Senate appointed by the presiding officer of the Senate.

(4) The Executive Director of the Alabama League of Municipalities, or his/her designee.

(5) The Executive Director of the Association of County Commissions of Alabama, or his/her designee.

(6) The Executive Director of the Alabama Sheriffs Association, or his/her designee.

(7) The Executive Director of the Alabama Association of School Boards, or his/her designee.

(8) The Executive Director of the Alabama State Police Association, or his/her designee.

(9) The Executive Director of the Children's Hospital in Birmingham, or his/her designee.

(10) The Executive Director of the Children's and Women's Hospital in Mobile, or his/her designee.

(11) The Chairman of the Alabama United Way Association, or his/her designee.

(12) The Substance Abuse Director of the Alabama Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation.

(13) The Director of the Court Referral Officer Section responsible for the Mandatory Treatment Program of the Administrative Office of Courts.

(b) Members of the council shall serve at the pleasure of the appointing authority or entity. Legislative members shall serve for the quadrennium for which elected.

The council shall hold its organizational meeting on the date and at the place designated by the Governor. The Governor shall notify each member of the council of the organizational meeting in writing within 30 days after August 2, 1995. At the organizational meeting, the council shall select a chair, vice chair, and such other officers as it deems appropriate from among its members. The council shall adopt such bylaws, rules, regulations, and procedures for the conduct of its business as the council deems necessary. A quorum shall consist of a majority of the members of the council then serving. A quorum shall be required for conducting any council business. Members of the council shall serve without compensation. Members of the council may be reimbursed for any expenses incurred in the conduct of council business from any funds available to the council.

(a) The council shall establish and administer a program of grants for drug education and awareness programs. The council is specifically authorized to receive state appropriations for drug education and awareness programs. The council shall establish guidelines for the types of groups that may apply for drug education and awareness program grants. The council shall determine the application process, the review process, and the award process. The council shall require from each grantee at least the following:

(1) A copy of the financial statements for the most recently completed fiscal year.

(2) A copy of the operations plan for the proposed grant.

(3) A set of performance indicators or measurements for the proposed grant.

(4) Such other information as is required of state agencies in the budget request and appropriation process.

(b) The council shall require grantees to provide a local match for state funding in the ratio of thirty cents for each seventy cents of state dollars; except that those existing Project DARE and DON'T programs which have previously received state appropriations shall provide an amount equal to the greater of the previous level of local funding or the matching ratio of 30 to 70 provided for above.

(c) The council shall require that drug education and awareness programs use certified instructors. Instructors shall be certified by the Huntsville Drug Education Training Program.

The Legislature, through the appropriate officers of the House of Representatives and the Senate, shall provide meeting space, supplies, and clerical assistance as may be requested by the council. The Legislature, through its annual appropriation, shall provide up to $5,000 annually for the cost of postage and mailings and other council expenses as approved by a vote of the council. The Legislative Fiscal Office and the Legislative Reference Service shall provide the commission, without charge, with technical assistance, information, and such other support as the council may request.