80-5-504. Alternative dispute resolution council. (1) The purpose of the alternative dispute resolution council is to conduct alternative dispute resolution, as provided in this part, on an as-needed basis when an alternative dispute resolution complaint has been filed. The council must be called into session by the director of the department or the council presiding officer to consider matters referred to the council by the director or the presiding officer.

(2) The director shall appoint an alternative dispute resolution council, upon the receipt of an alternative dispute resolution complaint, composed of five members and five alternate members. Two of the five appointed members of the alternative dispute resolution council must be Montana production growers. One member and one alternate member must be appointed upon the recommendation of each of the following:

(a) vice provost and director, Montana state university extension service;

(b) director, Montana state university agricultural experiment station;

(c) president, Montana seed trade association;

(d) president, Montana seed growers association; and

(e) director, Montana department of agriculture.

(3) An alternate member may only serve in the absence of the member for whom the person is an alternate.

(4) The council shall elect a presiding officer and a secretary from its membership. The presiding officer conducts meetings and deliberations of the council and directs all of its activities. The secretary shall keep accurate records of all meetings and deliberations and perform other duties for the council as directed by the presiding officer.