Section 323.025 - Missouri propane safety commission created, powers and duties, members, terms, meetings - executive director - secretary to keep records - surety bond for members - annual report1. There is hereby created within the department of agriculture the "Missouri Propane Safety Commission", which shall constitute a body corporate and politic, an independent instrumentality exercising essential public functions. The commission shall ensure the administration and enforcement of this chapter and all rules and regulations and orders promulgated thereunder. The powers of the commission shall be vested in nine commissioners, who shall be residents of this state, to be appointed by the governor, by and with the advice and consent of the senate. The commission shall consist of one member representing multistate retail marketers of propane, one member representing wholesalers or resellers of propane, one member from a county of the third classification representing retail marketers of propane, one member who is affiliated with the Mechanical Contractors Association in Missouri, one member affiliated with the Plumbing Industry Council, one member representing an affiliated industry, one member representing the department of agriculture, the Missouri state fire marshal or his or her designee, and one public member. The commissioners annually shall elect from among their number a chairperson and a vice chairperson, and such other officers as they may deem necessary.2. The commissioners shall serve five-year terms, with each term beginning July first and ending on June thirtieth. However, of the commissioners first appointed, two shall be appointed for a term of two years, two shall be appointed for a term of three years, two shall be appointed for a term of four years, and three shall be appointed for a term of five years. Each commissioner appointed thereafter shall be appointed for a term ending five years from the date of expiration of the term for which his or her predecessor was appointed. A person appointed to fill a vacancy prior to the expiration of such a term shall be appointed for the remainder of the term. No commissioner appointed by the governor under this section shall serve more than one full term. For those commissioners first appointed, if such commissioner serves a term less than five years, each shall be eligible to serve one full five-year term. Each commissioner shall hold office for the term of such appointment and until such successor has been appointed and qualified.3. Other than the public member, commission members shall be full-time employees or owners of businesses in the industry or the agency they represent.4. Notwithstanding the provisions of any other law to the contrary:(1) No officer or employee of this state shall be deemed to have forfeited or shall forfeit such office or employment by reason of his acceptance of membership on the commission or such service to the commission;(2) It shall not constitute a conflict of interest for an employee of any company selling propane at retail or wholesale, or engaged in the manufacture, sale, installation, or distribution of propane-use equipment, the contracting of propane piping systems, or in the transportation, storage, or marketing of propane, or any other firm, person, or corporation, to serve as a member of the commission, provided such trustee, director, officer, or employee shall abstain from deliberation, action, and vote by the commission in each instance where the business affiliation or public office association of any such trustee, director, officer, or employee is involved.5. Commissioners shall receive no compensation for the performance of their duties under this section, but each commissioner shall be reimbursed from the funds of the commission for his or her actual and necessary expenses incurred in carrying out his or her official duties.6. Meetings shall be held at the call of the chairperson or whenever two commissioners so request. Five commissioners of the commission shall constitute a quorum, and any action taken by the commission under the provisions of this chapter may be authorized by resolution approved by a majority, but not less than four of the commissioners present at any regular or special meeting. No vacancy in the membership of the commission shall impair the right of a quorum to exercise all the rights and perform all the duties of the commission.7. The commissioners shall employ an executive director. The executive director also shall serve as the secretary for the commission and shall administer, manage, and direct the affairs and business of the commission, subject to the policies, control, and direction of the commissioners. The commission may employ technical experts and such other officers, agents, and employees as deemed necessary, and may fix their qualifications, duties, and compensation.8. The secretary shall keep a record of the proceedings of the commission and shall be custodian of all books, documents, and papers filed with the commission and of its minute book and seal. The secretary shall have the authority to cause to be made copies of all minutes and other records and documents of the commission and to give certificates, under the seal of the commission, to the effect that such copies are true copies, and all persons dealing with the commission may rely upon such certificates. Resolutions of the persons dealing with the commission need not be published or posted unless the commission shall so direct.9. Before entering into his or her duties, each commissioner of the commission shall execute a surety bond for fifty thousand dollars, and the executive director shall execute a surety bond for one hundred thousand dollars or, in lieu thereof, the chairperson of the commission shall execute a blanket bond covering all members, the executive director, and the employees or other officers of the commission. Each surety bond shall be conditioned on the faithful performance of the duties of the office or offices covered, shall be executed by a surety company authorized to transact business in this state as surety, shall be approved by the attorney general, and shall be filed in the office of the secretary of state. The cost of each such bond shall be paid by the commission.10. At the beginning of each fiscal year, the commission shall prepare and submit for public comment a budget plan, including the probable costs of all programs, projects, and contracts and a recommended rate of assessment as may be necessary to cover such costs. Publication of the proposed budget in the Missouri Register for at least thirty days shall constitute appropriate public notice. The commission shall approve or modify the budget following the public comment period.11. The commission shall, following the close of each fiscal year, submit an annual report of its activities for the preceding year to the department of agriculture, the governor, and the general assembly. Each report shall set forth a complete operating and financial statement for the commission during the fiscal year it covers. At least once in each year, an independent certified public accountant shall audit the books and accounts of the commission.12. The commission shall have the power necessary to: (1) Sue and be sued in its own name;(2) Have an official seal and alter the same at pleasure;(3) Have perpetual succession;(4) Maintain an office at such place or places within this state as the commission may designate;(5) Conduct hearings and mediate disputes arising from the enforcement of this chapter;(6) Disperse funds for its lawful activities and fix salaries and wages of its employees; and(7) Exercise all powers necessary or convenient to accomplish its purposes.13. The commission shall have the following duties:(1) Develop comprehensive plans and programs for the prevention, control and abatement of propane-related accidents in Missouri;(2) Mandate a comprehensive certification training program based on the department of agriculture's existing liquified petroleum gas certification and training program;(3) Promulgate by rule by August 28, 2010, a statewide code for the installation of propane-related equipment;(4) Advise, consult, and cooperate with other agencies of the state, the federal government, other states, and interstate agencies, as well as with affected groups, political subdivisions, and industries in furtherance of the purposes of this chapter;(5) Accept gifts, contributions, donations, loans and grants from the federal government and from other sources, public or private, for carrying out any of its functions. Such funds shall not be expended for other than the purposes for which provided;(6) Exercise general supervision of the administration and enforcement of this chapter and all rules, regulations, and orders promulgated hereunder;(7) Suspend any registration filed under this chapter granted to persons or companies doing business under the requirements of this chapter, if such registrant is in violation of any provision of this chapter;(8) Represent the state of Missouri in all matters pertaining to this chapter, including negotiation of interstate compact agreements;(9) To do any act necessary or convenient to the exercise of the powers granted by or reasonably implied from the provisions of this chapter.14. The director may make such investigations as the director deems necessary to carry out effectively the director's responsibilities under this chapter or to determine whether a person has engaged or is engaging in acts or practices that constitute a violation of any provision of this chapter or of any regulation or plan issued under this chapter. For the purpose of any investigation, the administrator is empowered to administer oaths and affirmations, subpoena witnesses, compel their attendance, take evidence, and require the production of books, papers, and documents which are relevant to the inquiry. Such attendance of witnesses and the production of any such records may be required from any place in this state. In case of contumacy by or refusal to obey a subpoena issued to any person, the director may seek enforcement thereof in the circuit court of proper venue.15. The Missouri propane safety commission is hereby authorized to regulate the inspection of and provide specifications for propane as provided in this section.16. A commissioner shall be removed from office by the governor for misfeasance, malfeasance, or willful neglect of duty or other cause after notice and public hearing, unless such notice or hearing shall be expressly waived in writing.17. The director or any designated employee shall have free access, during reasonable hours, to any premises in the state where an installation covered by this chapter is being constructed, or is being installed, for the purpose of ascertaining whether said installation is being constructed and installed in accordance with the applicable provisions.Amended by 2014 Mo. Laws, HB 2141,s A, eff. 8/28/2014.