45-2103. Arizona water protection fund commission

A. The Arizona water protection fund commission is established and consists of two ex officio members, two advisory members and nine appointed members who are residents of this state, who have demonstrated an interest in natural resources and who are appointed as follows:

1. One person who represents a multi-county water conservation district established pursuant to title 48, chapter 22 and named by that district's governing board.

2. One person who represents a state association of natural resource conservation districts and who is appointed by the governor.

3. Four persons who represent natural resource conservation districts established pursuant to title 37, chapter 6, and who represent geographically diverse areas of this state, two of whom shall be appointed by the president of the senate and two of whom are appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives.

4. One member of the public who has at least a bachelor's degree in hydrology, who represents a city that is served by the central Arizona project and who is appointed by the governor.

5. One person who is knowledgeable in natural resource conservation issues or in water resource issues related to riparian ecosystems, who represents an agricultural improvement district established pursuant to title 48, chapter 17 and who is appointed by the governor.

6. One person who represents an Indian tribe and who is appointed by the chairman of the intertribal council of Arizona.

7. As nonvoting ex officio members, the director of the department of water resources and the state land commissioner.

8. As nonvoting advisory members, one member of the house of representatives who is appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives and one member of the senate who is appointed by the president of the senate. Advisory members may not be considered for purposes of establishing a quorum.

B. Members of the commission appointed pursuant to subsection A, paragraphs 1 through 6 of this section shall be appointed for staggered terms of three years. A member may serve more than one term and may continue to serve beyond the expiration of the term until a successor is appointed and assumes office.

C. On request, members who are not ex officio members of the commission are eligible to receive compensation pursuant to section 38-611, not to exceed three thousand dollars in any calendar year, and are eligible for reimbursement for expenses pursuant to title 38, chapter 4, article 2.

D. Members of the commission are immune from liability for any action necessary to carry out the purposes of this chapter.