District of Columbia Code Division I. Government of District. § 8-183. Youth Advisory Council on Climate Change and Environmental Conservation.

(a)(1) There is established the Youth Advisory Council on Climate Change and Environmental Conservation (“Youth Climate Council”), the mission of which is to consult with and advise the Mayor, the Council, the Department of Energy and Environment (“DOEE”), the Commission on Climate Change and Resiliency, and other entities on the effects of, and recommend improvements to, the District's laws, policies, practices, programs, and budgets regarding the following topics in the District:

(2) Pursuant to its mission, the Youth Climate Council may, with respect to the topics listed in paragraph (1) of this subsection:

(1) Nine members appointed by the Mayor as follows:

(2) Eight high school student members appointed by each Ward Councilmember to represent the Councilmember's respective ward.

(c)(1) All initial appointments to the Youth Climate Council shall be made no later than 180 days after the applicability date of this chapter.  Initial appointments shall be as follows:

(2) Except for the initial appointments provided in paragraph (1) of this subsection, members of the Youth Climate Council shall be appointed for terms of 2 years.

(3) A member may be reappointed but may not serve more than 2 full terms.

(4) If an appointed high school member graduates during their term, or if a member appointed pursuant to subsection (b)(1)(B) of this section ages past the age of 21 during their term, they may continue to serve through their term so long as they continue to live, work, or study in the District of Columbia.

(5) In the event of a vacancy during any voting member's term of office, a successor shall be appointed in the same manner as the original appointment to fill the unexpired portion of the member's term.

(1) Be a District resident;

(2) Have substantial ties to the District, such as currently or formerly attending school or working in the District prior to their application to serve on the Youth Climate Council;

(3) Have a general knowledge of how the District is affected by the topics listed in subsection (a)(1) of this section that is informed by their education or personal experience;

(4) Have an interest in addressing the topics listed in subsection (a)(1) of this section to improve the lives of District residents and safeguard the environment;

(5) Have the ability to

(6) Have an interest in developing leadership skills.

(e)(1) Appointed members shall be diverse in experience and backgrounds to allow for a range of perspectives, including those of disadvantaged communities.

(2) Disadvantaged communities include those who are marginalized, underserved, and overburdened by pollution as identified by tools such as the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments' Equity Emphasis Areas, DC's Heat Sensitivity Exposure Index, or Office of Planning's Low Food Access Areas map.

(f)(1) Youth Climate Council members may receive, in return for their service, the following:

(2) DOEE may reimburse members for reasonable travel and other expenses incurred in the performance of their duties based on available funding.

(1) An overview of the District's government and political processes and structure;

(2) The District's current environmental policy landscape, including current progress on climate action plans and strategies affecting youth;

(3) Statutory mandates and responsibilities of Youth Climate Council members and staff;

(4) Requirements of subchapter IV of Chapter 5 of Title 2 [§ 2-571 et seq.], and how to conduct meetings based on Robert's Rules of Order;  and

(5) Informational material provided by the Office of Open Government concerning the duties of Youth Climate Council members, and other District boards, commissions, and advisory bodies.