Sec. 47.002. OYSTER ADVISORY COMMITTEE

(a) The commissioner shall appoint an oyster advisory committee to provide guidance and direction on the programs and activities established under this chapter and expenditures of the funds appropriated for the purposes of this chapter.

(b) A member of the advisory committee may not receive compensation for service on the committee, but is entitled to reimbursement of expenses incurred by the member while conducting the business of the committee and approved by the commissioner, as provided by the General Appropriations Act. A reimbursement under this subsection must be paid from revenue from fees on oyster sales and related penalties imposed under Section 436.103, Health and Safety Code, available for that purpose or from other revenue as provided by the General Appropriations Act.

(c) The advisory committee shall meet and elect a chairperson from its members and shall conduct other meetings it considers necessary to provide guidance and direction to the department.

(d) The advisory committee consists of the following nine members:

(1) three members appointed by the commissioner who are oyster dealers who have been certified in Texas for at least 12 months of each year of the three years preceding the appointment;

(2) two members appointed by the commissioner who are oyster dealers who have been certified in Texas for at least six months of each year of the three years preceding the appointment;

(3) one member appointed by the commissioner representing consumer interests;

(4) one member appointed by the commissioner representing grocery retail business interests;

(5) one member appointed by the commissioner representing the restaurant industry; and

(6) one member appointed by the commissioner who:

(A) is employed by an institution of higher education as a researcher or instructor; and

(B) specializes in the area of food science, particularly seafood.

(e) The advisory committee shall develop its own bylaws under which it shall operate. The bylaws shall stipulate that five members constitute a quorum sufficient to conduct meetings and business of the advisory committee.

(f) An advisory committee member serves a three-year term, with the terms of three members expiring August 31 of each year.

(g) A member of the advisory committee may be reappointed to the advisory committee.

Added by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 186, Sec. 4, eff. Sept. 1, 1999; Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 1298, Sec. 4, eff. June 18, 1999. Amended by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 28, Sec. 4, eff. Sept. 1, 2001.