New Hampshire § 487-30 - Section 487:30 Exotic Aquatic Weeds and Species Committee.

§ 487-30. Section 487:30 Exotic Aquatic Weeds and Species Committee.

I. There is established a committee to study exotic aquatic weeds and exotic aquatic species of wildlife in the state of New Hampshire. II. (a) The members of the committee shall be as follows: (1) Three members of the house of representatives, appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives. (2) One member of the senate and 2 public members, appointed by the president of the senate. (3) One member of the New Hampshire Lakes Association, appointed by the chairman of the board of that association with the concurrence of the chairperson of the committee. (4) One member of the New Hampshire Rivers Council, appointed by the president of that organization. (5) The executive director of the fish and game department, or designee. (6) One member of the Connecticut River Watershed Council, appointed by the executive director of that organization. (7) One member of the New Hampshire Marine Trades Association, appointed by the president of that organization. (8) The commissioner of the department of environmental services, or designee. (9) The commissioner of the department of agriculture, markets, and food, or designee. (10) One member of the Northeast Aquatic Plant Management Society, appointed by the president of that organization. (b) Legislative members of the committee shall serve terms which are coterminous to their terms on the general court and shall receive mileage at the legislative rate when attending to the duties of the committee. III. The committee shall: (a) Study the spread of exotic aquatic weeds and exotic aquatic species of wildlife, as defined in RSA 487:16, I-a, in the waters of New Hampshire including education, management, and potential means to eliminate the spread of these weeds and wildlife. (b) Aid the department of environmental services in the control and eradication of milfoil. (c) Study the best management practices used in other states to prevent the introduction of, and to research, monitor, control, and eradicate exotic aquatic weeds and wildlife. (d) Recommend to the department of fish and game a program for research, monitoring, control, or eradication if an invasive exotic aquatic species of wildlife is discovered in the state. III-a. The committee may solicit, hold, and expend gifts, grants, and donations from any source to carry out the purposes of the committee. IV. The members of the committee shall elect a chairperson from among the members. The first meeting of the committee shall be called by the first-named house member. The first meeting of the committee shall be held within 45 days of the effective date of this section. Four members of the committee shall constitute a quorum. V. The committee shall report its findings and any recommendations for proposed legislation to the speaker of the house of representatives, the senate president, the house clerk, the senate clerk, the governor, and the state library on or before November 1 of each year.