This section sets how the commission is made up, how appointments should be balanced across state regions, and who cannot serve as a public member.
Sec. 161.021. COMPOSITION. (a) The commission is composed of 13 commissioners appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the senate, with the appropriate number from each of the following categories: (1) a practitioner of veterinary medicine; (2) a dairyman; (3) a cattle raiser; (4) a hog raiser; (5) a sheep or goat raiser; (6) a poultry raiser; (7) an individual involved in the equine industry; (8) an individual involved in the feedlot industry; (9) an individual involved in the livestock marketing industry; (10) three members of the general public; and (11) an individual involved in the exotic livestock or exotic fowl industry. (b) In making appointments to the commission, the governor, to the extent practicable, shall give proportionate representation to the northern, eastern, southern, and western portions of the state. (c) Appointments to the commission shall be made without regard to the race, color, disability, sex, religion, age, or national origin of the appointees. (d) A person is not eligible for appointment as a public member of the commission if the person or the person's spouse: (1) is registered, certified, or licensed by the commission; (2) is employed by or participates in the management of a business entity or other organization regulated by the commission or receiving money from the commission; (3) owns or controls, directly or indirectly, more than a 10 percent interest in a business entity or other organization regulated by or receiving money from the commission; or (4) uses or receives a substantial amount of tangible goods, services, or money from the commission, other than compensation or reimbursement authorized by law for commission membership, attendance, or expenses. Acts 1981, 67th Leg., p. 1394, ch. 388, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1981. Amended by Acts 1983, 68th Leg., 1st C.S., p. 14, ch. 3, Sec. 1, eff. June 27, 1983; Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 836, Sec. 3, eff. Sept. 1, 1989; Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 699, Sec. 1, eff. Aug. 30, 1993; Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 554, Sec. 5, eff. Sept. 1, 1995; Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 1170, Sec. 2.01, eff. Sept. 1, 2003. Amended by: Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1242 (H.B. 2543), Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2007.