A. Each local emergency planning committee shall include, at a minimum, representation from each of the following groups or organizations:

1. Elected state and local officials;

2. Law enforcement;

3. Civil defense;

4. Fire fighting;

5. First aid;

6. Health;

7. Environmental;

8. Hospital;

9. Transportation personnel;

10. Broadcast and print media;

11. Community groups; and

l2. Owners and operators of facilities which manufacture, store, or use in any manner those substances specified as extremely hazardous by the administrator of the federal Environmental Protection Agency.

B. The groups and organizations specified in subsection A of this section or any other person or group or organization may nominate an individual residing within the designated emergency planning district to serve on the local emergency planning committee. The names of such individuals shall be submitted to the Oklahoma Hazardous Materials Emergency Response Commission. From among the names of the individuals so submitted, the Oklahoma Hazardous Materials Emergency Response Commission shall appoint the membership of the local emergency planning committee.

C. The Oklahoma Hazardous Materials Emergency Response Commission may revise its designations and appointments under this subsection as it deems appropriate. In addition, interested persons, groups or organizations may petition the Oklahoma Hazardous Materials Emergency Response Commission to modify the membership of a local emergency planning committee.

D. The members of the local emergency planning committee shall meet to elect a chairman who shall hold office according to rules adopted by the committee. The committee shall establish rules by which it shall function. Such rules shall include provisions for public notification of committee activities, public meetings to discuss the emergency plan, public comments, response to such comments by the committee, and distribution of the emergency plan. The local emergency planning committee shall establish procedures for receiving and processing requests from the public for information. Such procedures shall include the designation of an official to serve as coordinator for information.

E. Each local emergency planning committee shall:

1. Complete preparation of an emergency plan in accordance with the federal Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act. After completion of an emergency plan under this paragraph for an emergency planning district, the local emergency planning committee shall submit a copy of the plan to the Oklahoma Hazardous Materials Emergency Response Commission. The Commission shall review the plan and make recommendations to the committee on revisions of the plan that may be necessary to ensure coordination of such plan with emergency response plans of other emergency planning districts. To the maximum extent practicable, such review shall not delay implementation of such plan. The committee shall review such plan once a year, or more frequently as changed circumstances in the community or at any facility may require;

2. Evaluate the need for resources necessary to develop, implement, and exercise the emergency plan, and shall make recommendations with respect to additional resources that may be required and the means for providing such additional resources;

3. Comply with the Oklahoma Open Meeting Law; and

4. Take such other action as may be required by the Oklahoma Hazardous Materials Emergency Response Commission or as otherwise deemed necessary to implement the provisions of this act or the federal Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act.

Added by Laws 1993, c. 145, § 243, eff. July 1, 1993.