(a) Applicable law. The Texas Council on Cardiovascular Disease and Stroke is created by Health and Safety Code, Chapter 93. (b) Officers and their duties. (1) The governor shall designate a member of the council as the presiding officer of the council to serve in that capacity at the will of the governor. (2) The presiding officer shall preside at all council meetings at which he or she is in attendance, call meetings in accordance with this section, assist in the preparation of the agenda, appoint subcommittees or workgroups of the council as necessary and with council consensus, cause proper reports to be made to the governor, lieutenant governor and speaker of the house and serve as spokesperson for the council. The presiding officer may serve as an ex-officio member of any subcommittee or workgroup of the council. The presiding officer may invite guests or speakers. (3) The members of the council shall elect a vice-chairman each year. (4) The vice-chairman shall perform the duties of the presiding officer in the absence or disability of the presiding officer. Should the office of the presiding officer become vacant, the vice-chairman shall serve until a successor is appointed. (c) Meetings. (1) The council shall meet at least quarterly. A meeting may be called with the agreement of Department of State Health Services staff and the presiding officer. (2) Each meeting of the council shall be announced and conducted in accordance with the Open Meetings Act, Government Code, Chapter 551. (3) A simple majority of the members of the council shall constitute a quorum for the purpose of transacting official business. (4) The council is authorized to transact official business only when in a legally constituted meeting with a quorum present. (5) Roberts Rules of Order, Newly Revised, shall be the basis of parliamentary decisions except where otherwise provided by law or rule. (6) Any action taken by the council must be approved by a majority vote of the public members present once quorum is established. Each public member shall have one vote. A public member may not authorize another individual to represent the member by proxy. |