2-15-2502. Transportation commission. (1) There is a transportation commission composed of five members. One member must be a resident of and appointed from each of these districts, each composed of the counties named:

(a) District 1. Lincoln, Flathead, Sanders, Lake, Mineral, Missoula, Ravalli, Granite, Powell;

(b) District 2. Deer Lodge, Silver Bow, Beaverhead, Madison, Gallatin, Meagher, Broadwater, Jefferson, Park;

(c) District 3. Glacier, Toole, Liberty, Hill, Blaine, Pondera, Teton, Chouteau, Cascade, Lewis and Clark;

(d) District 4. Carter, Powder River, Fallon, Custer, Rosebud, Garfield, Phillips, Valley, McCone, Prairie, Dawson, Wibaux, Richland, Roosevelt, Daniels, Sheridan;

(e) District 5. Golden Valley, Stillwater, Carbon, Big Horn, Yellowstone, Musselshell, Judith Basin, Fergus, Petroleum, Treasure, Wheatland, Sweet Grass.

(2) Of the members appointed from districts 1, 3, 4, and 5, at least one must have specific knowledge of Indian culture and tribal transportation needs. The member provided for under this subsection must be selected by the governor after consultation with the Montana members of the Rocky Mountain tribal leaders council.

(3) Two members may not be residents of the same district at the time of appointment or during their respective terms of office.

(4) Not more than three members may at the time of appointment or during their respective terms be members of the same political party.

(5) An elective state official or state officer, during the term of office to which elected or appointed, or a state employee may not be a member of the commission.

(6) A resolution, motion, or other decision of the commission may not be adopted or passed without the favorable vote of at least three members.

(7) The commission is allocated to the department of transportation for administrative purposes only as prescribed in 2-15-121.

(8) The commission is designated as a quasi-judicial board for purposes of 2-15-124; however, the provision of 2-15-124(1) that at least one member of a quasi-judicial board be an attorney does not apply to the commission.

(9) The commission may adopt rules necessary for its government.

(10) The director of transportation or the director's designee shall act as liaison between the commission and the department.