2-15-3310. Upper Columbia conservation commission. (1) There is an upper Columbia conservation commission within the department of natural resources and conservation. The commission is attached to the department for administrative purposes only, as prescribed in 2-15-121.

(2) There are 14 voting commission members who are appointed by and serve at the pleasure of the governor. They include one member at large and a representative of each of the following:

(a) the hydropower utility industry;

(b) electric cooperatives located within the Columbia River basin in Montana;

(c) conservation districts;

(d) private industry;

(e) private landowners;

(f) the Confederated Salish and Kootenai tribes;

(g) the invasive species council established in 2-15-3309; and

(h) a conservation, natural resources, or fishing or hunting organization representing each of the following:

(i) the upper Clark Fork River basin;

(ii) the lower Clark Fork River basin;

(iii) the Bitterroot River basin;

(iv) the Big Blackfoot watershed;

(v) the Kootenai River basin; and

(vi) the Flathead River basin.

(3) The speaker of the house and the president of the senate shall each appoint two nonvoting members to the commission, one each from the majority party and the minority party.

(4) The commission shall seek active input and participation in its deliberations from the U.S. forest service, the national park service, the U.S. fish and wildlife service, the U.S. department of agriculture natural resources conservation service, the U.S. army corps of engineers, the U.S. bureau of reclamation, and the northwest power and conservation council.

(5) The commission members shall serve without pay. Unless otherwise provided by law, commission members are entitled to reimbursement for travel expenses pursuant to 2-18-501 through 2-18-503.

(6) Commission members shall serve staggered 4-year terms.

(7) A majority of the voting membership of the commission constitutes a quorum to do business. A favorable vote of at least a majority of the voting members is required to adopt any resolution, to approve a motion, or to make any other decision, unless otherwise provided by law.

(8) The governor shall appoint the presiding officer.