HOUSE BILL NO. 51

INTRODUCED BY HARPER H

BY REQUEST OF THE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND CONSERVATION

A BILL FOR AN ACT ENTITLED: "AN ACT CHANGING A MEETING DATE REQUIREMENT AND THE REPORT DEADLINE FOR THE DROUGHT ADVISORY COMMITTEE; AMENDING SECTION 2-15-3308, MCA; AND PROVIDING AN IMMEDIATE EFFECTIVE DATE."

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MONTANA:

Section 1. Section 2-15-3308, MCA, is amended to read:

"2-15-3308. Drought advisory committee. (1) There is a drought advisory committee in the department of natural resources and conservation.

(2) The drought advisory committee is chaired by a representative of the governor and consists of representatives of the departments of natural resources and conservation; agriculture; commerce; fish, wildlife, and parks; military affairs; environmental quality; and livestock. The governor's representative must be appointed by the governor, and the representative of each department must be appointed by the head of that department. Additional, nonvoting members who represent drought-affected federal and local government agencies and public and private interests may also be appointed by the governor.

(3) The drought advisory committee shall:

(a) with the approval of the governor, develop and implement a state drought plan;

(b) review and report drought monitoring information to the public;

(c) coordinate timely drought impact assessments;

(d) identify areas of the state with a high probability of drought and target reporting and assistance efforts to those areas;

(e) upon request, assist in organizing local drought advisory committees for the areas identified under subsection (3)(d);

(f) request state agency staff to provide technical assistance to local drought advisory committees; and

(g) promote ideas and activities for groups and individuals to consider that may reduce drought vulnerability.

(4) The drought advisory committee shall meet, at a minimum, on or around October 15 and March 15 of each year to assess moisture conditions and, as appropriate, begin preparations for drought mitigation.

(5) By April 15 of each year, the drought advisory committee shall submit a report to the governor describing the potential for drought in the coming year. If the potential for drought merits additional activity by the drought advisory committee, the report must also describe:

(a) activities to be taken by the drought advisory committee for informing the public about the potential for drought;

(b) a schedule for completing activities;

(c) geographic areas for which the creation of local drought advisory committees will be suggested to local governments and citizens; and

(d) requests for the use of any available state resources that may be necessary to prevent or minimize drought impacts.

(6) Nothing in this section is intended to remove or interfere with the duties and responsibilities of the governor or the division of disaster and emergency services for disaster coordination and emergency response, as provided in Title 10, chapter 3, part 1. The duties and responsibilities of the drought advisory committee supplement and are consistent with those of the division of disaster and emergency services for drought planning, preparation, coordination, and mitigation."

NEW SECTION. Section 2. Effective date. [This act] is effective on passage and approval.

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