Section 27-2109. Advisory committee on mercury pollution

1.  There  shall  be  established,  within the department, an advisory
  committee  on  mercury  pollution  to   examine,   evaluate   and   make
  recommendations   concerning  the  prevention  and  cleanup  of  mercury
  pollution, and the latest technology  for  the  remediation  of  mercury
  pollution.
    2.  The advisory committee on mercury pollution shall consist of seven
  members, each appointed member to serve a  term  of  two  years,  to  be
  appointed as follows:
    (a) one member appointed by the temporary president of the senate;
    (b) one member appointed by the speaker of the assembly;
    (c) the commissioner, or his or her designee; and
    (d) four members appointed by the governor as follows:
    (i)  one  shall  be  a representative of an industry that manufactures
  mercury-added consumer products,
    (ii) one shall be a public health specialist,
    (iii) one shall be a toxicologist, and
    (iv) one shall be a scientist who is knowledgeable on matters relating
  to mercury contamination.
    3. The members of such committee shall be  broadly  representative  of
  the  geographic  areas  of  the  state.  The commissioner, or his or her
  designee, shall serve as the chair of the committee.  Vacancies  in  the
  membership  of  the committee shall be filled in the manner provided for
  original appointments.
    4. The members of the advisory committee on  mercury  pollution  shall
  receive  no  compensation for their services, but shall be allowed their
  actual and necessary expenses  incurred  in  the  performance  of  their
  duties pursuant to this section.
    5.  To  the maximum extent feasible, the advisory committee on mercury
  pollution shall be  entitled  to  request  and  receive  data  from  any
  department,  division,  board, bureau, commission or agency of the state
  or any political subdivision thereof as it  may  reasonably  request  to
  carry out properly its powers and duties pursuant to this section.
    6.  On  or  before  February  first,  two  thousand  six, the advisory
  committee on mercury pollution shall submit a report to the governor and
  the legislature relating to:
    (a) the extent of mercury contamination in the soil, waters and air of
  the state;
    (b) the extent of any health risk from mercury  contamination  in  the
  state,  especially  to pregnant women, children and people that use fish
  as a major source of food;
    (c)  the  methods  available  to  minimize   the   risk   of   further
  contamination or increased health risks to the public;
    (d) the potential costs of minimizing further risk and recommendations
  on  how  to  acquire  the  funds  necessary  to reduce contamination and
  minimize the risk of mercury-related health problems;
    (e) the effectiveness of the provisions  of  this  title  in  reducing
  mercury contamination and mercury-related health problems; and
    (f)  any  necessary  coordination  with  other  states  to effectively
  address mercury issues.