A. The Fire Ant Research and Management Advisory Committee is established as an advisory committee to the State Board of Agriculture.

B. The advisory committee shall consist of nine (9) members appointed as follows:

1. One member representing the faculty of an institution of higher learning of university status and who is experienced in matters of and knowledgeable in entomology, appointed by the Dean of the Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources of Oklahoma State University;

2. Two members representing the Department of Agriculture, appointed by the Commissioner of Agriculture;

3. One member representing the Department of Wildlife Conservation, appointed by the Director of the Department;

4. One member representing municipal governments, appointed by the Governor;

5. One member representing the general public, appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives;

6. One member representing the agribusiness industry, appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate; and

7. Two members representing county commissioners, one appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives and one appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate.

C. The initial appointment for the gubernatorial member shall be a term of . one (1) year, the initial appointments for legislative members shall be for terms of (3) years and the initial terms of administrative members shall be for terms of two (2) years. Subsequent appointments shall be for three-year terms. Members of the committee shall serve at the pleasure of and may be removed from office by the appointing authority. Members shall continue to serve until their successors are appointed. Any vacancy shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointments. Four members shall constitute a quorum. A member may serve more than one term.

D. The members of the advisory committee shall elect a member of the committee to serve as presiding officer for a term of two (2) years.

E. The advisory committee shall meet not less than two times each year.

F. The advisory committee may adopt policies for the advisory committee's internal procedures.

G. Members of the advisory committee are riot entitled to compensation for service on the advisory committee but may receive reimbursement for travel expenses pursuant to the State Travel Reimbursement Act payable by the appointing authority.

H. The advisory committee shall:

1. Advise, assist and direct the State Department of Agriculture in conducting fire ant research;

2. Encourage communication with other states that are infested with fire ants; and

3. Establish a framework for more efficient management of fire ant infestation problems.

I. The Department of Agriculture in conjunction with Oklahoma State University shall:

1. Develop the fire ant basic research programs;

2. Solicit, distribute and create competitive grant and other funding programs for fire ant research;

3. Engage in activities necessary to maximize funding received from the federal government for management of fire ants and research regarding fire ants;

4. With the advice of the advisory committee, plan a program of research regarding fire ants;

5. Provide educational programs regarding fire ant infestation and treatment; and

6. Conduct public awareness programs regarding fire ant infestation and treatment through the use of the media, publications, demonstrations and other means of public education.

J. The Department of Agriculture shall contract with Oklahoma State University to conduct fire ant basic research.

Laws 1998, HB 2914, c. 93, § 1, eff. November 1, 1998.