§ 2-4-3. State conservation committee. (a) There is established, within the department of environmental management to serve as an agency of the state and to perform the functions conferred upon it by this chapter, the state conservation committee. The following shall serve as members of the committee: the director of the department of environmental management, or his or her designee, and four (4) members of the public appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the senate. At least one member shall be appointed from each of the state's conservation districts and, in making appointments under this section, the governor shall give due consideration to recommendations made by the state's conservation district directors.

(b) Members of the committee as of the effective date of this act [April 20, 2006] shall continue to serve for the balance of their current terms. Thereafter, members shall be appointed to terms of three (3) years. Members shall hold office until a successor has been selected. Vacancies shall be filled for any unexpired terms. The selection of successors to fill an unexpired term or for a full term shall be in the same manner in which the respective state committee member had been selected.

(c) [Deleted by P.L. 2006, ch. 22, § 1 and P.L. 2006, ch. 27, § 1].

(d) Gubernatorial appointments made under this section after the effective date of this act [April 20, 2006] shall be subject to the advice and consent of the senate. All persons appointed to the committee after the effective date of this act [April 20, 2006] shall be residents of the state.

(e) The committee shall invite the director of the cooperative extension service and agricultural experiment station, chief of the office of state planning, director of transportation, the president of the Rhode Island association of conservation districts, the state conservationist of the USDA soil conservation service, the state executive director of the USDA agricultural stabilization and conservation service, the chairperson of the water resources board, and the executive director of the coastal resources management council, and any other agency representatives necessary to carry out the intent of this chapter to serve as advisors to the state committee.

(f) The committee shall keep a record of its official actions, and may perform any acts, hold any public hearings, and promulgate any rules and regulations that may be necessary for the execution of its functions under this chapter.

(g) The director of the department of environmental management shall direct staff to support the committee within the constraints of available resources.

History of Section. (P.L. 1972, ch. 173, § 2; P.L. 1985, ch. 179, § 1; P.L. 1994, ch. 163, § 1; P.L. 1999, ch. 105, § 13; P.L. 2001, ch. 180, § 2; P.L. 2001, ch. 376, § 1; P.L. 2006, ch. 22, § 1; P.L. 2006, ch. 27, § 1.)