HB 2703 Summary

• Replaces the position of Deputy to the Chairperson of the Commission on Water Resource Management with an Executive Officer appointed and managed by the Commission rather than the Board of Land and Natural Resources Chairperson.

• Authorizes the Commission on Water Resource Management to retain independent legal counsel and attorneys without regard to civil service requirements, while preserving the option to request services from the Attorney General.

• Makes the Chairperson of the Board of Land and Natural Resources an ex officio voting member of the Commission and requires the Commission to elect its own chairperson from among its non-ex-officio members.

• Requires the Commission and Department of Land and Natural Resources to establish procedures and safeguards to avoid conflicts of interest, including separate reporting structures for the Commission and its staff from the Department.

• Requires the Commission to develop annual goals and performance measures for the Executive Officer and conduct annual performance evaluations; only the Commission may take disciplinary action against the Executive Officer.