2-5-107. Expansion of committee membership. (1) A negotiated rulemaking committee may by consensus expand its membership, either by contacting and recruiting persons whose participation the committee believes is essential to the success of the negotiated rulemaking process or upon reviewing a petition submitted pursuant to subsection (2).

(2) Persons who will be significantly affected by a proposed rule and who believe that their interests will not be adequately represented by any person on a negotiated rulemaking committee may petition for or nominate another person for membership on the negotiated rulemaking committee. Each petition or nomination must be submitted to the negotiated rulemaking committee and must include:

(a) the name of the petitioner or nominee and a description of the interests the person represents;

(b) evidence that the petitioner or nominee is authorized to represent parties related to the interests the person proposes to represent;

(c) a written commitment that the petitioner or nominee will actively participate in good faith in the development of the rule under consideration; and

(d) an explanation of reasons that the persons already on the negotiated rulemaking committee do not adequately represent the interests of the person submitting the petition or nomination.

(3) Upon receiving a petition pursuant to subsection (2), a negotiated rulemaking committee shall decide by consensus at its next meeting whether or not to expand its membership.