2-15-1822. Hard-rock mining impact board. (1) There is a hard-rock mining impact board.

(2) The hard-rock mining impact board is a five-member board.

(3) (a) Subject to subsections (3)(b) and (3)(c), the hard-rock mining impact board must include among its members:

(i) a representative of the hard-rock mining industry;

(ii) a representative of a major financial institution in Montana;

(iii) a person who, when appointed to the board, is an elected school district trustee;

(iv) a person who, when appointed to the board, is an elected county commissioner;

(v) a member of the public at large.

(b) Three persons appointed to the board must reside in an area impacted or expected to be impacted by large-scale mineral development.

(c) At least two persons must be appointed from each district provided for in 2-15-156.

(4) The hard-rock mining impact board is a quasi-judicial board subject to the provisions of 2-15-124 except that one of the members need not be an attorney licensed to practice law in this state. The board shall elect a presiding officer from among its members.