Section 54-60-25 - North Dakota rural development council - CompositionThe North Dakota rural development council is created.
1. The North Dakota rural development council is composed of a minimum of nine and a maximum of seventeen members. The commissioner is an ex officio voting member of the council. The governor shall appoint council members for two-year terms, except the governor shall appoint approximately one-half of the initial council members to one-year terms in order to initiate a cycle of staggered terms. Appointment of the council members must ensure representation from four regions designated by the commissioner. Members of the council serve at the pleasure of the governor.2. The council shall select its own officers who shall serve for a term of two years commencing on October first of each year.3. The council shall have at least two meetings each year and such additional meetings as the chairman determines necessary at a time and place to be fixed by the chairman. Special meetings must be called by the chairman on written request of any four members. A simple majority of the council constitutes a quorum and may act upon any matter coming before the council. Members of the council are entitled to reimbursement in the same manner and at the same rate provided by law for other state officials.4. The council, in cooperation with the rural development office, shall: a. Facilitate collaboration among federal, state, local, and tribal governments and the private and nonprofit sectors in the planning and implementation of programs and policies that have an impact on rural areas of the state;b. Monitor, report, and comment on policies and programs that address, or fail to address, the needs of the rural areas of the state; andc. Facilitate the development of strategies to reduce or eliminate conflicting or duplicative administrative or regulatory requirements of federal, state, local, and tribal governments.Amended by S.L. 2011, ch. 439 (HB 1122),§ 6, eff. 8/1/2011.