To create the Fuel Production Task Force to study opportunities for and barriers to increasing fuel production in this state and to declare an emergency.

Section 1. (A) There is hereby created the Fuel Production Task Force consisting of the following twelve members:

(1) Three members of the House of Representatives, two members appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives who are members of the majority party and one member appointed by the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives who is a member of the minority party;

(2) Three members of the Senate, two members appointed by the President of the Senate who are members of the majority party and one member appointed by the Minority Leader of the Senate who is a member of the minority party;

(3) The Director of Environmental Protection or the Director's designee;

(4) The Director of Development or the Director's designee;

(5) Two members representing the public, one member appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives and one member appointed by the President of the Senate;

(6) One member representing farmers, appointed by the Governor from a list of names provided by the Ohio Farm Bureau;

(7) One member representing the petroleum industry, appointed by the Governor from a list of names provided by the Ohio Petroleum Council.

(B) Appointments to the Task Force shall be made not later than thirty days after the effective date of this act. The members of the Task Force shall elect a chairperson and vice-chairperson from among its members.

The members of the Task Force shall serve without compensation. Serving as a member of the Task Force does not constitute holding a public office or position of employment under the laws of this state and does not constitute grounds for removal of public officers or employees from their offices or positions of employment.

The Task Force shall meet as often as necessary to carry out its duties and responsibilities.

(C) The Task Force shall study opportunities for and barriers to increasing the number of refineries and to increasing fuel production from agricultural products in this state in order to maximize the fuel supply and to create jobs for its citizens.

Not later than one hundred eighty days after the appointment of the members, the Task Force shall prepare and submit a report of its findings and recommendations to the Governor, the Speaker and Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, and the President and Minority Leader of the Senate. On submission of the report, the Task Force shall cease to exist.

Section 2. This act is hereby declared to be an emergency measure necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, and safety. The reason for such necessity is that the high energy use in the state, the steeply rising fuel prices, and the lack of refining capacity have a negative impact on the economic growth in this state. Therefore, this act shall go into immediate effect.