| (a) The ABLE Program Advisory Committee is established
to provide to the Board the committee's collective expertise as members,
advocates, financial advisors, or supporters of the disability community
regarding the administration of and experiences with the ABLE Program.
The role and responsibility of the advisory committee is to advise
and make recommendations to the Board. The goal of the advisory committee
is to support the Board in ensuring that the needs of ABLE Program
participants are met.
(b) The comptroller shall appoint at least five and
not more than seven members to the advisory committee, including at
least one member from each of the following groups:
(1) persons with a disability who qualify for the program;
(2) family members of a person with a disability who
qualifies for the program;
(3) representatives of disability advocacy organizations;
and
(4) representatives of the financial community.
(c) The comptroller shall designate one appointed member
to act as the presiding officer of the advisory committee.
(d) The initial members appointed to the advisory committee
shall serve for staggered terms, starting on the date of their appointment,
with the first two appointees serving for a six-year term, the next
two appointees serving for a four-year term and the remaining appointees
serving for a two-year term. Members appointed to replace the initial
appointed members shall serve for six-year terms from the date of
their appointment.
(e) All advisory committee members are appointed by
and serve at the pleasure of the comptroller. In the event of any
vacancy occurring on the advisory committee, the comptroller shall
appoint a replacement who shall serve the remainder of the unexpired
term.
(f) The advisory committee shall meet at least once
every six months or more frequently as the presiding officer or comptroller
determines is necessary to carry out the responsibilities of the committee.
(g) Two-thirds of the appointed members shall constitute
a quorum.
(h) Members must complete training provided by the
comptroller prior to being an active voting member of the committee.
(i) A member of the advisory committee is not entitled
to compensation or reimbursement for travel expenses.
(j) In addition to any requirements provided by law,
the advisory committee shall adopt and enforce an ethics and conflicts
of interest policy that applies to all members of the advisory committee.
(k) The continuing need for the advisory committee
shall be evaluated by the Board at least once every two years; the
Board may abolish the advisory committee at any time it determines
that the advisory committee is no longer needed.
(l) The advisory committee shall adopt a policy to
ensure it complies with any applicable provisions of Government Code,
Chapter 551 regarding open meetings.
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