44-4-1604. Statewide public safety communications system advisory council -- membership -- subcommittees. (1) There is a statewide public safety communications system advisory council.

(2) Subject to subsection (8), the advisory council consists of nine members appointed by the governor as follows:

(a) the attorney general or the attorney general's designee from the department, who serves as presiding officer of the council;

(b) a representative of the governor's office;

(c) a representative of the law enforcement community;

(d) a representative of the fire protection community;

(e) a representative of the emergency medical community;

(f) a representative of a municipality, designated by the Montana league of cities and towns;

(g) a representative of county government, designated by the Montana association of counties;

(h) a representative of the association of public-safety communications officials, designated by the Montana chapter of the association of public-safety communications officials; and

(i) a representative of tribal governments.

(3) The advisory council may create temporary or permanent subcommittees, when necessary, to advise members of the council. Subcommittee membership, appointed by a majority of the advisory council, may include but is not limited to:

(a) a representative of the Montana highway patrol;

(b) a representative of the department of transportation, maintenance division;

(c) a representative of the department of military affairs, disaster and emergency services division;

(d) a representative of the department of administration, state information technology services division;

(e) a representative of the department of natural resources and conservation, division of forestry, fire and aviation management bureau;

(f) two representatives of the Montana association of counties, with one representing counties with populations less than 30,000 and one representing counties with populations greater than 30,000;

(g) two representatives of the Montana league of cities and towns, with one representing cities and towns with populations less than 30,000 and one representing cities with populations greater than 30,000;

(h) a representative of the Montana sheriffs and peace officers association;

(i) a representative of the Montana association of chiefs of police;

(j) a representative of the Montana state fire chiefs' association;

(k) a representative of the Montana state volunteer firefighters association;

(l) a representative of the Montana emergency medical services association; and

(m) a representative of the Montana association of public safety communications officials.

(4) The advisory council shall establish a technical subcommittee to advise subcommittees appointed in accordance with subsection (3) and the advisory council established in subsection (2) on subjects including but not limited to:

(a) system maintenance and operational issues; and

(b) technology considerations as assigned by the advisory council.

(5) The advisory council and related subcommittees are attached to the department for administrative purposes only, as provided in 2-15-121.

(6) The advisory council shall at a minimum, within its budget, hold quarterly meetings.

(7) Advisory council members and subcommittee members shall serve without additional compensation.

(8) (a) Membership on the advisory council established in accordance with subsection (2) is limited to agencies or their appointed representatives who use the statewide public safety communications system.

(b) Members shall work to improve and sustain the statewide public safety communications system within the state.

(c) This subsection (8) does not limit the ability of a vendor, consultant, or other individual representing a business to, by invitation, provide the advisory council with useful information.

(9) (a) Vendors, consultants, and other individuals representing business interests may be appointed to a subcommittee formed in accordance with subsection (3) or (4).

(b) Members included under this subsection (9) are nonvoting members.