SECTION 48-21-20. Mining council.

(a) The "mining council" is established in the office of the Governor. The council is the advisory body referred to in Article V(a) of the Interstate Mining Compact. Members of the council and the Governor's alternate on the Interstate Mining Commission shall receive the per diem, mileage, and subsistence allowed by law for members of state boards, committees, and commissions. (b) The council shall be composed of eleven members. One member shall be the State Geologist and one member shall be the Secretary of Commerce or his designee. Three members, appointed by the Governor, shall be representatives of mining industries; three members, appointed by the Governor, shall be representatives of nongovernmental conservation interests; two members, appointed by the Governor, shall be representatives of the Department of Health and Environmental Control who shall be knowledgeable in the principles of water and air resources management; and one member, appointed by the Governor, shall be his official representative to the Interstate Mining Compact Commission. Any public official appointed to the council shall serve ex officio. The term of office for the Secretary of Commerce or his designee and the Governor's official representative to the Interstate Mining Compact Commission shall be coterminous with that of the Governor. Of the remaining eight members appointed by the Governor, six shall be appointed for terms of six years, two shall be appointed for terms of two years and beginning July 1, 1976, the term of office for all new appointments and reappointments to these eight positions shall be for four years. The term of each member of the council shall expire on June thirtieth of the year in which his term expires. Any vacancy occurring on the council by death, resignation, or otherwise shall be filled for the unexpired term of the person creating the vacancy by the Governor. (c) In accordance with Article V (i) of the compact, the commission shall file copies of its bylaws and any amendments thereto with the Director Department of Health and Environmental Control. Effect of Amendment The 2008 amendment, deleted "with the advice and consent of the Senate" three times in the second sentence with regard to members appointed by the Governor from the mining industries, representatives of nongovernmental conservation interests, and representatives of the Department of Health and Environmental Services.