Presenter: Scott Boruff

Commission Agenda Item No. 15
Action
Advisory Committees
Recommended Adoption of Proposed Changes
August 27, 2009

I. Executive Summary: Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) staff is requesting adoption of a rule amendment to extend the life of agency advisory committees for one year.

II. Discussion: Chapter 2110 of the Texas Government Code requires that rules be adopted regarding each agency advisory committee. The Texas Government Code requires that a state agency adopt rules regarding each agency advisory committee. Unless otherwise provided by specific statute, the rules must (1) state the purpose of the committee; (2) describe the manner in which the committee will report to the agency; and (3) establish the date on which the committee will automatically be abolished, unless the advisory committee has a specific duration established by statute. Other requirements for advisory committees include an annual evaluation, a membership limit of 24 members, balanced membership representation, the selection of a presiding officer by members, and a four-year duration unless otherwise provided by rule.

Effective September 28, 2005, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission (the Commission) adopted rules governing advisory committees for the TPWD and the Commission. The advisory committees created by this rule will expire on September 29, 2009. In May 2009, the Commission authorized staff to publish a proposal to extend all TPWD advisory committees for one year in the Texas Register for public comment. Staff requests that the Commission adopt the amendment as proposed, with a change to clarify that current advisory committee members' terms will expire on October 1, 2010.

III. Recommendation: Staff recommends that the Commission adopt the following motion:

"The Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission adopts an amendment to 51.601, concerning advisory committees, with changes as necessary to the proposed text, as published in the July 17th, 2009, issue of the Texas Register (34 TexReg 4720)."

Attachments - 1

  1. Exhibit A - Proposed Rule Admendments