2-15-3314. (Temporary) Montana agricultural heritage commission -- membership -- administration. (1) There is a Montana agricultural heritage commission. The commission consists of 12 members. Ten members must be appointed by the governor, one member must be appointed by the president of the senate, and one member must be appointed by the speaker of the house.
     (2) Of the members appointed by the governor:
     (a) two members shall operate family farms or ranches in the state and must be active in regional or local agricultural organizations;
     (b) one member shall own and manage land taxed as forest land and must be active in and represent a state or local forestry organization or business;
     (c) one member must be active in and represent a statewide real estate or building industry organization that has been in operation for at least 10 years;
     (d) two members shall represent regional or statewide conservation organizations that have been in operation for at least 10 years;
     (e) one member shall represent a regional or statewide land trust that has been in operation for at least 5 years;
     (f) one member must be a county commissioner or a member of a conservation district board of supervisors;
     (g) one member must be active in and represent a statewide agricultural organization that has been in existence for at least 10 years; and
     (h) one member must be active in and represent a statewide travel or tourism industry organization.
     (3) Except for the initial appointments, members appointed by the governor shall serve 3-year terms. Members appointed by the legislature shall serve 2-year terms. A presiding officer must be elected from among members of the commission at an annual election. The presiding officer may be reelected. If a vacancy occurs, the appointing authority shall make an appointment for the unexpired portion of the term.
     (4) The commission is allocated to the department for administrative purposes only, pursuant to 2-15-121. (Terminates July 1, 2003--sec. 15, Ch. 456, L. 1999.)

     History: En. Sec. 3, Ch. 456, L. 1999.