41-1373. Ombudsman-citizens aide selection committee

A. When there is a vacancy in the office of ombudsman-citizens aide, or within twelve months before the expiration of the term of office, the ombudsman-citizens aide selection committee is established consisting of:

1. Two members of the senate appointed by the president of the senate. One member shall be from each political party.

2. Two members of the house of representatives appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives. One member shall be from each political party.

3. One public member who is appointed by the president of the senate and who represents a large business that is regulated by this state.

4. One public member who is appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives and who represents a small business that is regulated by this state.

5. Three members who are appointed by the governor and who represent:

(a) A consumer group that is not regulated by this state.

(b) State employees who hold managerial positions.

(c) State employees who hold nonmanagerial positions.

B. The appointing officers shall appoint the members of the committee when a vacancy occurs in the office of ombudsman-citizens aide. The committee shall receive applications and nominate by a two-thirds vote one candidate for ombudsman-citizens aide according to its adopted procedures. The appointment of the ombudsman-citizens aide from this nomination is made by passage of a bill on a roll call vote of two-thirds of the membership of each house of the legislature. Membership on the ombudsman-citizens aide selection committee expires when the appointment is approved. If the governor disapproves the bill, he shall return it to the house in which it originated. If after reconsideration, it again passes on a roll call vote of three-fourths of the membership of each house of the legislature, it shall become law notwithstanding the governor's objection.

C. Meetings of the committee are open to the public except for meetings to interview candidates and to make preliminary choices among the candidates. The meeting held to vote for the nominee is open to the public.

D. The identity of all candidates shall be public.

E. Committee members are eligible to receive reimbursement of expenses pursuant to title 38, chapter 4, article 2 but are not eligible to receive compensation.