Section 1 [Legislative Water Commission] establishes a legislative water commission. The commission has 12 legislative members, six of whom are senators and six of whom are members of the house of representatives. Half of the members from each body are appointed by the body’s majority leader and half are appointed by the body’s minority leader. Members serve at the pleasure of the appointing authority. Members serve until successors are appointed or until no longer a member of the legislature. Vacancies are filled in the same manner as the original positions. Vacancies do not affect the authority of remaining members of the commission to carry out the function of the commission. The commission must elect a chair and other officers. The chair convenes meetings as necessary. The Legislative Coordinating Commission shall provide staff for the commission and may contract with consultants as needed for the commission to carry out its duties.
The commission is charged with reviewing water policy reports and recommendations from the Environmental Quality Board, the Board of Water and Soil Resources, the Pollution Control Agency, the Department of Natural Resources, and other water-related reports as may be required by law or the legislature. The commission is permitted to conduct public hearings and secure data and comments. The commission must make recommendations to assist the legislature in formulating legislation. Data and information compiled by the commission or its subcommittees must be made available to certain other commissions, councils, and committees on request. The commission must coordinate with the Clean Water Council.
This section expires July 1, 2018.
Section 2 [Initial appointments and meeting] Initial appointment must be made by February 1, 2015. The first meeting of the commission will be convened by the director of the Legislative Coordinating Commission by March 1, 2015.
Section 3 [Appropriation] appropriates $180,000 from the general fund in fiscal year 2014 and $167,000 in fiscal year 2015 to the Legislative Coordinating Commission for supporting the Legislative Water Commission.
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