This bill amends the Watershed District Act to change the method of appointing the boards of directors for watershed districts from an election process to an appointment process. Specifically, it stipulates that the board of directors will be appointed by the board of supervisors for the soil and water conservation district in which the watershed district is located. The bill outlines the composition of the board, which will consist of five directors, with provisions for additional directors if the watershed district spans multiple soil and water conservation districts. The initial appointments will include terms of varying lengths, and any vacancies will be filled by appointment for the remainder of the term.

Additionally, the bill includes provisions for the board of directors to elect its own chair, secretary, and treasurer, with the treasurer required to execute a bond for the faithful performance of their duties. The bond must be approved by the board and can be secured through personal sureties or a surety company. The board is also tasked with preparing and submitting reports as required by the department of finance and administration. The effective date for these changes is set for July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
introduced version: 73-20-2, 73-20-12
Final Version: 73-20-2, 73-20-12