_____________ bill NO. _____________

INTRODUCED BY _________________________________________________

By Request of the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation

A BILL FOR AN ACT ENTITLED: “AN ACT ADDING MEMBERS TO THE MONTANA INVASIVE SPECIES COUNCIL; AMENDING SECTION 2-15-3309, MCA; And PROVIDING AN IMMEDIATE EFFECTIVE DATE.”

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

Section 1. Section 2-15-3309, MCA, is amended to read:

"2-15-3309. Invasive species council. (1) There is an invasive species council within the department of natural resources and conservation. The council is attached to the department for administrative purposes only, as prescribed in 2-15-121.

(2) The council consists of the following 2224 members:

(a) the directors of the following departments or their designees:

(i) fish, wildlife, and parks;

(ii) natural resources and conservation;

(iii) transportation;

(iv) agriculture; and

(v) commerce; and

(vi) livestock;

(b) the presiding officer of the upper Columbia conservation commission established in 2-15-3310 or the presiding officer's designee;

(b)(c) a representative of each of the following appointed by and serving at the pleasure of the governor:

(i) county weed districts;

(ii) conservation districts;

(iii) the Montana state university extension service;

(iv) agriculture;

(v) conservation organizations;

(vi) wildlife organizations;

(vii) fishing organizations;

(viii) the hydropower utility industry;

(ix) private landowners; and

(x) each of the tribal governments in Montana.

(3) The council shall seek active input and participation in its deliberations from the U.S. army corps of engineers, the U.S. bureau of reclamation, the U.S. bureau of land management, the U.S. department of agriculture animal and plant health inspection service, the U.S. fish and wildlife service, the U.S. forest service, and the national park service.

(4) The council members shall serve without pay. Unless otherwise provided by law, each council member is entitled to be reimbursed for travel expenses pursuant to 2-18-501 through 2-18-503.

(5) Council members shall serve staggered 4-year terms.

(6) A majority of the membership of the council constitutes a quorum to do business. A favorable vote of at least a majority of all of the members is required to adopt any resolution, to approve a motion, or to make any other decision.

(7) The council shall meet no less than twice annually.

(8) The governor shall appoint the presiding officer, who shall serve in that capacity for a 2-year term.

(9) The presiding officer and the director of the department of natural resources and conservation shall serve as the council's liaisons to the governor's office."

NEW SECTION. Section 2. Notification to tribal governments. The secretary of state shall send a copy of [this act] to each federally recognized tribal government in Montana.

NEW SECTION. Section 3. Effective date. [This act] is effective on passage and approval.