Section 40-01.1-03 - Cooperative advisory study committee1. The governing bodies of any two or more political subdivisions, including any combination of counties, cities, city park districts, townships, school districts, or other political subdivisions, may establish an advisory committee to study the potential for cooperative or combined efforts for providing local government functions and services. A cooperative advisory study committee is established: a. By execution of a joint powers agreement between participating political subdivisions or by joint resolution pursuant to separate majority votes of each participating governing body; orb. By petitions signed by ten percent or more of the total number of qualified electors of each affected political subdivision voting for governor at the most recent gubernatorial election and submitted to the governing bodies.2. The composition and duration of the advisory study committee is as prescribed in the joint powers agreement, resolutions of the governing bodies, or petitions. However, the governing bodies may agree, by joint resolution, to limit the duration or composition of the advisory study committee created by petition pursuant to subdivision b of subsection 1. Any vacancy may be filled as prescribed in the agreement, resolution, or petitions or, if not prescribed, by the governing body that was represented by the person vacating the position.3. A governing body may agree to provide office and meeting space and legal, clerical, facilitation, training, and other assistance to the study committee, and may appropriate funds in its final budget, or expend any unexpended balances in its general fund otherwise designated for current expenditure, for the necessary expenses of the advisory study committee. The committee, with the approval of the governing body, may: a. Employ and fix the compensation and duties of necessary staff;b. Contract and cooperate with other individuals and public or private agencies considered necessary for assistance, including institutions of higher education;c. Establish advisory subcommittees that may include persons who are not members of the study committee;d. Hold public hearings and community forums and use other suitable means to disseminate information, receive suggestions and comments, and encourage public discussion of the committee's purpose, progress, conclusions, and recommendations; ande. Do any other act consistent with and reasonably required to perform its advisory function.