(1)

1. (a) There is created within the Department of Natural Resources a Water Development Coordinating Council. The council is comprised of:

   1. (i) the director of the Division of Water Resources;
   2. (ii) the executive secretary of the Water Quality Board;
   3. (iii) the executive secretary of the Drinking Water Board;
   4. (iv) the director of the Housing and Community Development Division or the director's designee;
   5. (v) the state treasurer or the state treasurer's designee;
   6. (vi) the commissioner of the Department of Agriculture and Food, or the commissioner's designee; and

   7. (vii) an individual appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the Senate who is:

      1. (A) familiar with water infrastructure projects, including planning, financing, construction, or operation; and
      2. (B) employed by a water conservancy district that is subject to the asset management criteria of Section 17B-2a-1010.
2. (b) The council shall choose a chair and vice chair from among the council's own members, except the chair and vice chair may not be from the same department.

3. (c) A member may not receive compensation or benefits for the member's service, but may receive per diem and travel expenses in accordance with:

   1. (i) Section 63A-3-106;
   2. (ii) Section 63A-3-107; and
   3. (iii) rules made by the Division of Finance pursuant to Sections 63A-3-106 and 63A-3-107.

(2) The purposes of the council are to:

1. (a) coordinate the use and application of the money available to the state to give financial assistance to political subdivisions of this state so as to promote the conservation, development, treatment, restoration, and protection of the waters of this state;
2. (b) promote the coordination of the financial assistance programs administered by the state and the use of the financing alternative most economically advantageous to the state and its political subdivisions;
3. (c) promote the consideration by the Board of Water Resources, Drinking Water Board, and Water Quality Board of regional solutions to the water and wastewater needs of individual political subdivisions of this state;
4. (d) assess the adequacy and needs of the state and its political subdivisions with respect to water-related infrastructures and advise the governor and the Legislature on those funding needs;
5. (e) conduct reviews and reports on water-related infrastructure issues as directed by statute;
6. (f) engage in planning and prioritization of water infrastructure projects in accordance with Chapter 10g, Part 6, Planning and Prioritization; and
7. (g) expend money from the Water Infrastructure Fund in accordance with Section 73-10g-107.