2-15-3402. Fish and wildlife commission. (1) There is a fish and wildlife commission.

(2) (a) The commission consists of seven members. At least one member must be experienced in the breeding and management of domestic livestock. The governor shall appoint one member for each of the administrative regions of the department of fish, wildlife, and parks, which are headquartered in the following locations:

(i) Kalispell;

(ii) Missoula;

(iii) Bozeman;

(iv) Great Falls;

(v) Billings;

(vi) Glasgow; and

(vii) Miles City.

(b) (i) To be eligible to serve on the commission, the member must reside in the administrative region the member will represent or within 10 air miles of the region's boundary as it exists on the date the member is appointed.

(ii) If the commission adjusts a region's boundary after a member is appointed so that the member no longer meets the requirements of subsection (2)(b)(i), the member may continue to represent the region until the member's current term expires.

(3) Appointments must be made without regard to political affiliation and must be made solely for the wise management of fish, wildlife, and related recreational resources of this state. A person may not be appointed to the commission unless the person is informed or interested and experienced in the subject of fish, wildlife, and recreation and the requirements for the conservation and protection of fish, wildlife, and recreational resources.

(4) A vacancy occurring on the commission must be filled by the governor in the same manner and from the administrative region in which the vacancy occurs.

(5) The fish and wildlife commission is designated as a quasi-judicial board for purposes of 2-15-124. Notwithstanding the provisions of 2-15-124(1), the governor is not required to appoint an attorney to serve as a member of the commission.