The council shall meet as soon as may be practicable after appointment for the purpose of organizing. The Director of the Department of Health and Environmental Control or his designee shall serve as chairman. The council shall elect a vice-chairman and also may elect from its membership other officers it considers necessary. The vice-chairman and other officers, if any, shall serve for terms of two years. The council shall meet at least once each quarter and at other times designated by the chairman. A majority of the council constitutes a quorum.

Members of the council representing state agencies or committees are entitled to subsistence, per diem, and mileage authorized for members of state boards, committees, and commissions, to be paid from funds appropriated for the operation of the respective agency or committee. Members representing private organizations or groups are entitled to subsistence, per diem, and mileage authorized by law for members of state boards, committees, or commissions to be paid from funds appropriated for the operation of the Department of Health and Environmental Control only if the organization or group the member represents does not compensate its representative for service on the council and the member requests compensation from the department.