(a) Establishment.--There is hereby established under the jurisdiction of the department a board known as the Snowmobile and ATV Advisory Committee.

(b) Composition.--The committee shall consist of 17 members. The members shall be as follows:

(1) The chairman and minority chairman of the Environmental Resources and Energy Committee of the Senate.

(2) The chairman and minority chairman of the Environmental Resources and Energy Committee of the House of Representatives.

(3) One member representing the Pennsylvania Game Commission.

(4) One member representing the Allegheny National Forest.

(5) One member representing the Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors.

(6) One member representing the Pennsylvania State Association of Boroughs.

(7) One member representing the Pennsylvania State Association of County Commissioners.

(7.1) One member representing the Department of Community and Economic Development.

(8) Seven members of the public representing the following organizations to be appointed by the Secretary of Conservation and Natural Resources:

(i) Two members from a list of at least six representatives submitted by the Pennsylvania State Snowmobile Association.

(ii) Two members from a list of at least six representatives submitted by the Pennsylvania Off-Highway Vehicle Association.

(iii) One member from a list of at least three representatives submitted by the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau.

(iv) (Deleted by amendment).

(v) One member from a list of at least three representatives submitted by the Pennsylvania Association of Travel and Tourism.

(vi) One member from a list of at least three representatives submitted by the Pennsylvania Economic Development Association.

Each member may designate an alternate to serve in his stead. A member shall notify the chairman in writing of this designation.

(c) Terms of appointees.--The terms of all members of the committee appointed by the Secretary of Conservation and Natural Resources shall be three years. Any member of the committee may be reappointed for additional terms. A person appointed to fill a vacancy shall serve for the unexpired term and is eligible for reappointment.

(d) Officers.--The members of the committee shall annually elect a chairman, a vice chairman and a secretary from among the public members of the committee.

(e) Meetings and expenses.--

(1) The committee shall meet at least biannually.

(2) A public member, including a designee, who misses three consecutive meetings without good cause may be replaced by the Secretary of Conservation and Natural Resources upon recommendation of the chairman.

(3) The public members of the committee shall be allowed actual, necessary and reasonable per diem expenses in accordance with regulations of the Executive Board. The department shall provide appropriate staff support to enable the committee to properly carry out its functions.

(f) Powers and duties.--The powers and duties of the committee shall be to advise the Secretary of Conservation and Natural Resources on matters concerning the implementation of this chapter, including existing and proposed regulations, standards, policies, guidelines and practices; use and operation of snowmobiles and ATV's on public and private land; acquisition, construction, development and maintenance of trails; enforcement; and allocation of fees collected by the department pursuant to this chapter.

(Aug. 5, 1991, P.L.238, No.26, eff. imd.; June 11, 1992, P.L.266, No.47, eff. 60 days; June 25, 2001, P.L.701, No.68, eff. 60 days; July 20, 2016, P.L.837, No.97, eff. 60 days)

2016 Amendment. Act 97 amended subsecs. (b), (e)(1) and (2) and (f).