The commission may appoint from its membership, the engineering and design professions, the geotechnical engineering, geology, and seismology professions, the building and construction industry, the affected general public, and interested governmental agencies, to appropriate advisory committees to advise the commission and its staff with respect to seismic safety standards. The persons appointed to the advisory committee, shall be specifically knowledgeable and qualified in the type of work required of the commission. These persons shall serve without compensation, but may receive actual necessary travel expenses.