Sec 37-316. Conservation advisory committee

A. A conservation advisory committee is established to provide information and advice on conservation issues by helping evaluate and prioritize applications and proposals and referring its recommendations to the commissioner.

B. The governor shall appoint a presiding member of the committee, who is not an employee of this state. The governor shall appoint two additional members. The commissioner shall appoint two members. The term of office is five years, except that the initial members shall assign themselves by lot to terms of one, two, three, four and five years in office.

C. All members of the committee shall be knowledgeable on issues relating to conservation of natural and historical resources.

D. Members of the committee who are not employees of this state are eligible to receive compensation pursuant to section 38-611 or at the discretion and prior approval of the commissioner, be reimbursed for travel and lodging expenses and per diem subsistence allowances incurred while on public business for the committee.

E. The committee shall meet at least once each calendar quarter in space provided by the department but, if authorized by the commissioner, may travel within this state as necessary to provide accurate and competent advice to the commissioner and department relating to specific parcels of trust land.

F. The department shall provide financial and staff support to the committee.