Creating the Legacy Land Conservation Commission

(a) There is established within the department of land and natural resources a legacy land conservation commission. The commission shall consist of nine members, with at least one member from each of the counties, who shall be appointed in the manner and serve for the term set forth in section 26-34 as follows: (1) Four of the members of the commission shall be persons possessing scientific qualifications as evidenced by an academic degree in wildlife or marine biology, botany, forestry, ecology, resource management, biogeography, zoology, or geology; (2) One member shall be a person possessing membership in an environmental organization organized in the State; (3) One member shall be a person possessing membership in a land conservation organization organized in the State; (4) One member shall be a person possessing membership in a statewide agricultural association; and (5) One member shall be a person knowledgeable about native Hawaiian culture. The chairperson of the natural area reserves system commission, or the chairperson's designated representative from the natural area reserves system commission, shall serve as an ex officio[,] voting member. The members of the commission shall elect the chairperson of the commission. The members of the commission shall receive no compensation for their services on the commission but shall be entitled to reimbursement for necessary expenses, including travel expenses, incurred in the discharge of their duties. (b) Any action taken by the commission shall be by a simple majority of its members. Five members of the commission shall constitute a quorum. (c) Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, the commission shall be subject to sections 26-34, 26-35, 26-35.5, and 26-36. (d) The commission may adopt rules pursuant to chapter 91 to carry out its duties.