35-11-210. Small business assistance program advisory panel.

(a) There is created a compliance advisory panel consisting of the following nine (9) members:

(i) Two (2) members, who are not owners, or representatives of owners, of small business stationary sources, shall be appointed by the governor to represent the general public;

(ii) Four (4) members shall be appointed by the legislature who are owners, or who represent owners of small business stationary sources. One (1) member each shall be appointed by the majority and minority leadership of the house of representatives and one (1) member each shall be appointed by the majority and minority leadership of the senate;

(iii) One (1) member shall be selected by the director of the department to represent the department;

(iv) Two (2) members who represent major source operators in the state of Wyoming, shall be appointed by the governor.

(b) The panel shall:

(i) Render advisory opinions concerning the effectiveness of the small business stationary source technical and environmental compliance assistance program, difficulties encountered, and degree and severity of enforcement;

(ii) Make periodic reports to the environmental protection agency required under title V of the Clean Air Act;

(iii) Review information for small business stationary sources to assure such information is understandable by the layperson; and

(iv) Have the small business stationary source technical and environmental compliance assistance program serve as the secretariat for the development and dissemination of such reports and advisory opinions.

(c) Except for the initial members the panel members shall serve four (4) year terms and may be reappointed. The legislative members appointed from the house of representatives shall initially serve two (2) year terms. One (1) member appointed by the governor shall initially serve a three (3) year term. A vacancy occurs if a member ceases to meet the qualifications specified in subsection (a) of this section. A vacancy shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment. The panel shall select from its members a chairman. The panel shall hold at least four (4) regularly scheduled meetings each year, and may hold special meetings as called by the chairman. Five (5) members shall constitute a quorum for the purposes of conducting business, but all decisions must be approved by a majority of the total membership of the panel. Each member, except the department representative, shall be reimbursed for per diem, mileage and expenses for attending panel meetings in the same manner and amount as state employees. The department representative shall suffer no loss of wages for the time devoted to the duties of the panel.

(d) The panel shall be in addition to and operate separate from the advisory boards created pursuant to W.S. 35-11-113.