2-15-3004. Montana alfalfa seed committee -- composition -- allocation. (1) There is a Montana alfalfa seed committee composed of eight members as follows:

(a) five members appointed by the governor who are citizens of Montana and who are actively engaged in the growing of alfalfa seed within the state, deriving a substantial portion of their income from handling, packing, shipping, buying, or selling alfalfa seed, or acting as a broker or factor of alfalfa seed. These five members must be compensated as provided in 80-11-305.

(b) two members appointed by the governor who are citizens of Montana and who are actively engaged in the growing of alfalfa seed within the state and the rearing of alfalfa leaf-cutting bees. Each member must be compensated from the state special revenue account established in 80-6-1109 at $25 for each day in which the member is engaged in the official business of the committee, plus expenses as provided for in 2-18-501 through 2-18-503.

(c) the director of the department of agriculture or the director's authorized representative.

(2) A list of nominees for appointment may be submitted to the governor by the Montana alfalfa seed association, the Montana seed trade association, the Montana seed growers association, and any other organization representing alfalfa seed growers or dealers. Names of nominees must be submitted at least 91 days before the expiration of a committee member's term. The governor shall appoint members from among the persons nominated.

(3) The appointed members serve staggered terms of 3 years. The initial appointments are as follows: two members for 1-year terms, two members for 2-year terms, and three members for 3-year terms.

(4) The committee is allocated to the department of agriculture for administrative purposes only as prescribed in 2-15-121.