75-10-1601. Libby asbestos superfund oversight committee -- duties. (1) There is a Libby asbestos superfund oversight committee. The oversight committee is attached to the department of environmental quality for administrative purposes only, as prescribed in 2-15-121.

(2) The oversight committee consists of:

(a) the director of the department of environmental quality or the director's designated representative;

(b) a Lincoln County commissioner designated by the commission;

(c) a citizen of Lincoln County nominated by the Lincoln County commission and selected by the governor;

(d) one member of the house of representatives whose district includes at least a portion of Lincoln County appointed by the speaker of the house; and

(e) one member of the senate whose district includes at least a portion of Lincoln County appointed by the senate president.

(3) The oversight committee shall select a presiding officer.

(4) The oversight committee shall meet at least quarterly to fulfill the requirements of this section.

(5) Duties of the oversight committee include:

(a) monitoring activities related to the Libby asbestos superfund site;

(b) assisting in the implementation of final cleanup and long-term operation and maintenance plans for the Libby asbestos superfund site;

(c) reviewing documents and providing comments and recommendations to the department of environmental quality and to local governments and appropriate federal agencies regarding the Libby asbestos superfund site;

(d) assisting in the preparation and dissemination of reports and other information as necessary;

(e) providing recommendations to the department of environmental quality regarding the administration of:

(i) the Libby asbestos cleanup trust fund provided for in 75-10-1603; and

(ii) the Libby asbestos cleanup operation and maintenance account provided for in 75-10-1604;

(f) initiating and striving to maintain negotiations with the department of environmental quality, the environmental protection agency, and any other entity with a goal of reducing the state and federal roles in the long-term operation and maintenance work at the Libby asbestos superfund site while increasing the role of Lincoln County in expending funds and managing and implementing operation and maintenance activities; and

(g) submitting a report to the environmental quality council annually in accordance with 5-11-210.

(6) Unless otherwise provided by law, each member is entitled to be reimbursed for travel expenses, as provided for in 2-18-501 through 2-18-503, incurred while performing oversight committee duties.