60-2-601. Scenic-historic byways program -- advisory council -- expenditure of funds. (1) There is a scenic-historic byways program. The commission may designate roads to be included as part of the program and may add or delete roads from the program. The commission may not designate a road as a scenic-historic byway without the concurrence of the affected local governments and the agencies responsible for maintenance and operation of the road. A road or right-of-way across federal land that was granted by 43 U.S.C. 932 and recognized by 43 U.S.C. 1701 may be considered for inclusion in the program.

(2) Notwithstanding the provision of 2-15-122, the commission shall appoint an advisory council for the scenic-historic byways program.

(3) The advisory council is a technical oversight council composed of no more than 11 members who must have expertise in one or more of the subjects of tourism, visual assessment, Montana history, resource protection, economic development, transportation, or planning. One member of the advisory council must be a representative of the Montana chamber of commerce.

(4) The advisory council shall:

(a) assist the department and the commission in designing the program;

(b) review applications for nominating roads to the scenic-historic byways program; and

(c) recommend to the commission roads that should be included in or deleted from the scenic-historic byways program.

(5) The department, upon the direction of the commission, may expend any funds appropriated for or otherwise available to the scenic-historic byways program.