The board may appoint advisory committees, but it must adopt rules for them. Advisory committees provide independent expertise and cannot help set board policy. Board members cannot be committee members, though they may act as liaisons.
Sec. 301.1595. ADVISORY COMMITTEES. (a) The board may appoint advisory committees to perform the advisory functions assigned by the board. (b) An advisory committee shall provide independent expertise on board functions and policies, but may not be involved in setting board policy. (c) The board shall adopt rules regarding the purpose, structure, and use of advisory committees, including rules on: (1) the purpose, role, responsibility, and goal of an advisory committee; (2) the size and quorum requirements for an advisory committee; (3) the composition and representation of an advisory committee; (4) the qualifications of advisory committee members, such as experience or area of residence; (5) the appointment procedures for advisory committees; (6) the terms of service for advisory committee members; (7) the training requirements for advisory committee members, if necessary; (8) the method the board will use to receive public input on issues addressed by an advisory committee; and (9) the development of board policies and procedures to ensure advisory committees meet the requirements for open meetings under Chapter 551, Government Code, including notification requirements. (d) A board member may not serve as a member of an advisory committee, but may serve as a liaison between an advisory committee and the board. A board member liaison that attends advisory committee meetings may attend only as an observer and not as a participant. A board member liaison is not required to attend advisory committee meetings. The role of a board member liaison is limited to clarifying the board's charge and intent to the advisory committee. (e) To the extent of any conflict with Chapter 2110, Government Code, this section and board rules adopted under this section control. Added by Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 889 (H.B. 2426), Sec. 14, eff. September 1, 2007.