The board may appoint policy-making and working committees, but it must keep the two committee types distinct.
Sec. 901.1525. APPOINTMENT OF BOARD COMMITTEES. (a) The board may appoint policy-making and working committees to assist the board in performing its responsibilities under this chapter. The board's policy-making committees shall assist the board in establishing policies, drafting rules, setting budgets, representing the board, and performing other oversight duties necessary to administer this chapter. The board's working committees shall assist the board in carrying out the board's functions, including reviewing enforcement cases and other licensing matters. In establishing committees, the board shall maintain the distinction between the types of committees authorized by this section. (b) A person may not serve on a policy-making committee unless the person is a board member. A working committee may consist of members who are members of the board and members who are not board members. A member of a working committee who is not a board member may participate as a full voting member of the committee. (c) A person may not be a non-board member of a committee if: (1) the person is acting in the capacity of an officer, executive board or executive committee member, employee, or paid consultant of a Texas trade association in the field of public accountancy; (2) the person's spouse is acting in the capacity of an officer, executive board or executive committee member, manager, or paid consultant of a Texas trade association in the field of public accountancy; or (3) the person is required to register as a lobbyist under Chapter 305, Government Code, because of the person's activities for compensation on behalf of a profession related to the operation of the board. (d) For purposes of Subsection (c), "Texas trade association" has the meaning assigned by Section 901.053. (e) A committee member who is not a member of the board is subject to the same financial disclosure requirements that apply to a member of the board, except that the financial disclosures shall be maintained by the executive director. (f) A committee member who is not a member of the board may not serve on the committee if the member: (1) violates Subsection (c); (2) cannot, because of illness or disability, discharge the member's duties for a substantial time; (3) is absent from more than half of the regularly scheduled meetings of the committee that the member is eligible to attend during a calendar year unless the absence is excused by a majority vote of the committee; or (4) does not comply with Subsection (e). (g) The board shall adopt rules that provide that a committee member shall refrain from participating in the discussion of and may not vote on an issue before a committee in which the member has a personal or financial interest. A committee member who is not permitted to vote on a matter described by this subsection shall state at the time of the vote the reason why the member is not voting on the matter. Added by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 525, Sec. 8, eff. Sept. 1, 2003.