The bill amends the structure and composition of the Coastal Resources Management Council (CRMC) by reducing its membership from ten to seven members. The new council will consist of six public members appointed by the governor, with the advice and consent of the senate, and one ex officio member who will be the director of the Department of Environmental Management. All appointed members must possess background, qualifications, and expertise in environmental and coastal management matters, including specific qualifications such as being an engineer, a coastal biologist, and a representative from an environmental organization. Current members' terms will expire on March 1, 2026, at which point the new council will be established.

The bill introduces provisions regarding the terms of office for council members, specifying that two appointees will serve an initial term of three years, two for two years, and two for one year, after which all subsequent appointments will be for three-year terms. It also states that all members shall serve until their successors are appointed and qualified. Additionally, the bill requires the council to post for notice and comment revisions of its coastal resources management program (referred to as "red book") and management procedures within thirty business days of the date of passage. Furthermore, within fourteen days of promulgation of the revised program, the council must submit a coastal zone management act program change request to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) for approval of the amendments.

The bill repeals a previous section regarding representation from coastal communities and establishes a new effective date for the changes upon passage.

Statutes affected:
998: 46-23-12
998  SUB A: 46-23-12