Section 174.1 - Establishment of Advisory Committees(a) This chapter governs the creation and operation of advisory committees, except as otherwise provided by law or rule in this chapter. The purpose of an advisory committee is to make recommendations to the Economic Development and Tourism Office in the Office of the Governor (Office) on programs, rules, and policies administered by the Office. An advisory committee's sole role is to advise the Office. An advisory committee has no executive or administrative powers or duties with respect to the operation of the Office. (b) The Office shall establish advisory committees by rule in this chapter. An advisory committee is abolished on the fourth anniversary of the date of its creation unless the Office designates a different expiration date for an advisory committee, or an advisory committee has a specific duration prescribed by law. (c) The Chief of Staff of the Office of the Governor or designee will appoint members to an advisory committee based on advice and input from the Executive Director and staff of the Office. The appointees serve at the pleasure of the Chief of Staff of the Office of the Governor. (d) Each advisory committee will select from its members a chair to serve as a presiding officer, a vice-chair, and any other officers the members determine are necessary to achieve the purposes of the advisory committee. (e) An advisory committee must be composed of a reasonable number of members not to exceed twenty-four members. A quorum of an advisory committee consists of a majority of the number of members fixed by rule in this chapter. An advisory committee may act only by majority vote of the members present and voting at the meeting. (f) Advisory committee members: (1) shall serve two-year staggered terms; (2) must have knowledge about and interests in the specific purpose and tasks of an advisory committee established under this chapter; (3) are subject to the conflict-of-interest provisions established under chapter 481, Texas Government Code; (4) must complete training regarding the Open Meetings Act, chapter 551, Texas Government Code, and the Public Information Act, chapter 552, Texas Government Code; and (5) automatically vacate the positions to which they were appointed if they miss three or more consecutive advisory committee meetings, and the Chief of Staff or designee will appoint a new member to fill the remainder of the unexpired term created by the vacancy. (g) For each advisory committee established under this chapter, the Executive Director of the Office will designate a division of the Office that will be responsible for providing necessary administrative support essential to the functions of the advisory committee. (h) Advisory committee meetings shall: (1) relate to the business in an agenda and occur on the date, time, and place established by the division designated under subsection (g) of this section; and (2) be held at least annually. (i) For each advisory committee created under this chapter, the Office shall adopt rules that address the purpose and role of the advisory committee. The rules may address additional items, including membership qualifications, terms of service, operating procedures, and other standards to ensure the effectiveness of an advisory committee appointed under this chapter. (j) Office staff shall maintain minutes of each advisory committee meeting and distribute copies of approved minutes and other advisory committee documents to advisory committee members. (k) Office staff shall report an advisory committee's recommendations to the Executive Director or designee. The presiding officer of an advisory committee or designee may present the committee's recommendations to the Executive Director of the Office. (l) Members of an advisory committee will serve without compensation and shall not be reimbursed for expenses unless reimbursement is authorized by law and approved by the Executive Director. (m) The Office shall monitor the activities, work, usefulness, costs, Office staff time used to support, and composition of advisory committees.10 Tex. Admin. Code § 174.1
Adopted by Texas Register, Volume 49, Number 52, December 27, 2024, TexReg 10627, eff. 12/29/2024