(a) Role of advisory committee. The role of an advisory
committee is to provide advice and recommendations to the commission.
Advisory committees shall meet and carry out their functions upon
a request from the commission for advice and recommendations on an
issue.
(b) Appointment of advisory committee. The commission
shall appoint members to an advisory committee. Each advisory committee
shall elect from its members a presiding officer, or may be appointed
by the commission's presiding officer, who shall report the advisory
committee's recommendations to the commission. The executive director
may designate a staff member to participate with, or to provide subject-matter
expertise, guidance, or administrative support to the advisory committee
as necessary. Any commission staff assigned to an advisory committee
shall be non-voting members.
(c) Member qualifications. Members shall have knowledge
about and interests in, and represent a broad range of viewpoints
about, the work of the committee or applicable divisions and meet
the enrollment and appointment requirements and qualifications for
licenses under Texas Occupations Code Chapter 1701 and 37 Texas Administrative
Code Chapters 211-229. Currently appointed Commission members shall
not serve as advisory committee members.
(d) Composition of advisory committees. In making appointments
to the advisory committees, the commission shall, to the extent practical,
ensure representation of members from the public, agencies, organizations,
and geographical regions of the state who have an interest or expertise
in the subject area of the particular advisory committee.
(e) Committee size and quorum requirements. An advisory
committee shall be composed of a reasonable number of members, not
less than 9, as determined by the commission. A simple majority of
advisory committee members will constitute a quorum. An advisory committee
may only deliberate on issues within the jurisdiction of the committee
or any public business when a quorum is present.
(f) Terms of service. Advisory committee members may
serve terms of four years or as otherwise designated by the commission.
A member will serve on the committee until the member resigns, is
dismissed or replaced by the commission, or the member's term expires.
(g) Member training requirements. Each member of an
advisory committee must receive training regarding the Open Meetings
Act, Government Code, Chapter 551 and the Public Information Act,
Government Code, Chapter 552.
(h) Compliance with Open Meetings Act. The advisory
committee shall comply with the Open Meetings Act, Government Code,
Chapter 551.
(i) Conflict of Interest. Advisory committee members
are subject to the same laws and policies governing ethical standards
of conduct as those for commission members and employees.
(j) Public input and participation. Advisory committees
shall accept public comments made in-person at advisory committee
meetings or submitted in writing in advance of the advisory committee
meeting with sufficient copies for all members.
(k) Reporting recommendations. Recommendations of the
advisory committee shall be reported to the commission at a commission
meeting prior to commission action on issues related to the recommendations.
The recommendations shall be in writing and include any necessary
supporting materials. The presiding officer of the advisory committee
or the presiding officer's designee may appear before the commission
to present the committee's advice and recommendations. This subsection
does not limit the ability of the advisory committee to provide advice
and recommendations to the executive director as necessary.
(l) Commission use of advisory committee recommendations.
In developing commission policies, the commission shall consider the
written recommendations and reports submitted by advisory committees.
(m) Reimbursement. The department may, if authorized
by law and the executive director, reimburse advisory committee members
for reasonable and necessary travel expenses.
(n) Expiration dates for advisory committees. Unless
a different expiration date is established by the commission for the
advisory committee, each advisory committee is abolished on the fourth
anniversary of its creation by the commission.
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