1. (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. (2) The oversight committee consists of:

   1. (a) the director of the department of environmental quality or the director's designated representative;
   2. (b) a Lincoln County commissioner designated by the commission;
   3. (c) a citizen of Lincoln County nominated by the Lincoln County commission and selected by the governor;
   4. (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
   5. (e) one member of the senate whose district includes at least a portion of Lincoln County appointed by the senate president.
3. (3) The oversight committee shall select a presiding officer.
4. (4) The oversight committee shall meet at least quarterly to fulfill the requirements of this section.

5. (5) Duties of the oversight committee include:

   1. (a) monitoring activities related to the Libby asbestos superfund site;
   2. (b) assisting in the implementation of final cleanup and long-term operation and maintenance plans for the Libby asbestos superfund site;
   3. (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;
   4. (d) assisting in the preparation and dissemination of reports and other information as necessary;

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

      1. (i) the Libby asbestos cleanup trust fund provided for in 75-10-1603; and
      2. (ii) the Libby asbestos cleanup operation and maintenance account provided for in 75-10-1604;
   6. (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
   7. (g) submitting a report to the environmental quality council annually in accordance with 5-11-210.
6. (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.

History: En. Sec. 1, Ch. 317, L. 2017; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 76, L. 2019; amd. Sec. 103, Ch. 261, L. 2021.