31520.13.
(a) Notwithstanding Section 31520.1, and subject to the limitations of subdivision (d), the board of supervisors may, by resolution adopted by majority vote, appoint an alternate member for the fourth, fifth, sixth, and ninth members. The alternate member shall be a qualified elector of the county who is not connected with the county government in any capacity. The term of office of the alternate member shall run concurrently with the term of office of the ninth member. The alternate member shall vote as a member of the board only in the event that the fourth, fifth, sixth, or ninth member is absent for any cause. If there is a vacancy with respect to the fourth, fifth, sixth, or ninth member, the alternate member shall fill that vacancy until a successor qualifies.(b) The alternate member for the fourth, fifth, sixth, or ninth member shall be entitled to the same compensation as the fourth, fifth, sixth, or ninth member for attending a meeting, pursuant to Section 31521, whether or not the fourth, fifth, sixth, or ninth member attends the meeting.
(c) The alternate member for the fourth, fifth, sixth, or ninth member shall be entitled to both of the following:
(1) The alternate member for the fourth, fifth, sixth, or ninth member shall have the same rights, privileges, responsibilities, and access to closed sessions as the fourth, fifth, sixth, or ninth member.
(2) The alternate member for the fourth, fifth, sixth, or ninth member may hold positions on committees of the board independent of the fourth, fifth, sixth,
or ninth member and may participate in the deliberations of the board or any of its committees to which the fourth, fifth, sixth, or ninth member has been appointed whether or not the fourth, fifth, sixth, or ninth member is present.
(d) The alternate member appointed pursuant to subdivision (a) shall not serve as an alternate member for the fourth, fifth, sixth, or ninth member unless service by an alternate member for an appointed member is approved by the majority of the electors in the county.
(e) This section shall apply only to Orange County.