RSA 149-M:67: Solid Waste Evaluation Committee Established.

I. There is hereby established a committee to be known as the New Hampshire solid waste site evaluation committee consisting of 7 members, as follows:

(a) The chairperson of the waste management council established under RSA 21-O:9. who shall serve as chairperson of the committee. If there is an appeal pending before the waste management council related to the major solid waste disposal facility, then the chairperson of the wetlands council, water council, or air resources council established under RSA 21-O, selected by the commissioner of the department, shall serve on the committee and as chairperson of the committee.

(b) The commissioner of the department of business and economic affairs, or designee.

(c) The commissioner of the department of environmental services, or designee.

(d) Four members and, when required by RSA 149-M:68, an alternate member, appointed by the governor with the consent of the executive council, including a member who serves on a local conservation commission, a member who has expertise in the private waste management industry, a member with expertise in municipal planning, and one member with expertise or experience in environmental protection, environmental health, or environmental science.

(e) At any given time, there shall not be more than 2 members of the committee with current or past employment, contract work, or consulting services in the private waste management industry.

(f) No member of the committee may be an employee or contractor of an entity that owns or operates an existing or planned major solid waste disposal facility or an entity that has applied to own or operate a major solid waste disposal facility.

II. All members, including those who sit for a member recused under RSA 149-M:68, shall refrain from ex parte communications regarding any matter pending before the committee. A majority of the members of the committee shall constitute a quorum for the purpose of conducting the committee's business.

III. The committee shall be administratively attached to the department of environmental services.

IV. The chairperson shall serve as the chief executive of the committee and may:

(a) Serve as presiding officer.

(b) Delegate to other members the duties of the presiding officer, as appropriate.

(c) Establish, with the consent of the committee, the budgetary requirements of the committee.

(d) Engage personnel in accordance with this chapter.

V. The presiding officer may appoint a hearing officer to perform the functions described in RSA 149-M:70, V.