This bill proposes several updates to current statutes regarding the State Natural Resource Conservation Board (Board) and its operations. It transfers the disbursement authority of the Environmental Special Plate Fund from the State Land Department to the Board, allowing the Board to manage the funds for environmental education programs. Additionally, the bill increases the annual distribution amount from $5,000 to not more than $10,000 for each natural resource conservation district with an established education center, enhancing their capacity to develop and implement educational programs.

Furthermore, the bill amends the criteria for appointing Board members, ensuring that they are elected from different geographic natural resource areas as defined by the Board itself. It also clarifies that if a Board member's term as a supervisor expires, they cannot complete their term on the Board, and a replacement must be appointed from the same natural resource area. Lastly, the bill allows current Board members to serve until their terms expire, while future appointments will adhere to the new statutory guidelines.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 28-2413, 41-6011, 41-6013, 28-2402, 35-146, 35-147, 28-6991, 38-611