To assist and advise the department of transportation in the development of the statewide transportation plan there is hereby established a statewide transportation council consisting of thirteen members. The members of the council shall be the director of transportation; director of business, economic development, and tourism; director of health; director of the office of planning and sustainable development; chairperson of the board of agriculture; planning directors of each of the four counties; and transportation directors of each of the four counties. The members may be represented at council meetings by their designated alternates. The director of the state department of transportation shall submit recommendations to the council for additional ex officio, nonvoting members who, upon the majority vote of the council, shall be invited to serve.

The department of transportation shall furnish staff support to the council; such staff may be exempt from chapter 76. The director of transportation shall be the chairperson of the council. All decisions of the council shall be by majority vote unless otherwise provided.