2-15-2305. Montana board of pardons and parole -- composition and qualifications -- allocation -- quasi-judicial. (1) There is a board of pardons and parole consisting of five members.

(2) Board members must possess at least one of the following qualifications:

(a) a college degree in criminology, corrections, or a related social science;

(b) at least 5 years of extensive work experience in corrections, the criminal justice system, or criminal law; or

(c) a law degree.

(3) Consideration should be given to balancing members' expertise or knowledge of:

(a) American Indian culture;

(b) serious mental illness and recovery from serious mental illness; and

(c) victim awareness.

(4) Board members shall serve staggered 6-year terms. The terms of board members run with the position, and if a vacancy occurs, the governor shall appoint a person to fill the unexpired portion of the term.

(5) The governor shall designate the presiding officer, as provided in 2-15-124. The governor may designate a different presiding officer at any time. If the governor designates a different presiding officer, the former presiding officer still serves as a board member unless removed for cause pursuant to 2-15-124(6).

(6) The board is allocated to the department of corrections for administrative purposes only as prescribed in 2-15-121. However, the board may hire its own personnel, and 2-15-121(2)(d) does not apply.

(7) The board is designated as a quasi-judicial board for purposes of 2-15-124, except that board members must be compensated as provided in 46-23-111, the terms of board members must be staggered as provided in subsection (4), and the provisions of 2-15-124(1) do not apply to the board.

(8) A favorable vote of a majority of the members of the board is required to implement a policy, procedure, or administrative rule. A favorable vote of the majority of the members of a hearing panel, as defined in 46-23-103, is required to make decisions regarding parole and executive clemency.