SECTION 265.29. Youth Camp Committee

(a) Advisory committee.

(1) Committee appointment. The executive commissioner or his designee shall appoint a committee to:

(A) advise the executive commissioner in the development of standards and procedures;

(B) make recommendations to the executive commissioner regarding the content of the rules adopted to implement the Act; and

(C) perform any other functions requested by the executive commissioner in the implementation and administration of the Act.

(2) Advisory committee membership. The advisory committee shall not exceed nine members. At least two members shall be from the general public, and seven members shall be experienced camping professionals who represent the camping communities of the state and should reflect the geographic diversity of the state in proportion to the number of camps licensed by the department in each geographic area of the state.

(3) Filling a vacancy on the advisory committee. Any vacancy on the advisory committee will be filled by the executive commissioner or his designee in the same manner as other appointments to the advisory committee.

(4) Annual meeting required. The advisory committee will meet annually and at the call of the executive commissioner or his designee.

(b) Procedures.

(1) Staggered terms of service. Committee members shall serve for staggered six-year terms, with the terms of three members expiring on August 31 of each odd-numbered year.

(2) Adoption of committee rules of conduct and election of officers. The committee may adopt rules for the conduct of its own activities and may elect from among its members a chairperson, a vice-chairperson, and a secretary.

(3) Committee quorum. A simple majority of the members of the committee who are statutorily required to be appointed shall constitute a quorum for the purpose of transacting official business.

(4) Committee meetings announced. The committee is not a "governmental body" as defined in the Open Meetings Act. However, in order to promote public participation, each meeting of the committee shall be announced and conducted in accordance with the Texas Government Code, Open Meetings Act, Chapter 551.

(5) Compensation or reimbursement of expenses. A committee member may not receive compensation or reimbursement of expenses for serving on a youth camp committee.

(6) Presiding officer. The committee shall annually select from among its members a chair who will serve as the presiding officer of the committee. The presiding officer of the committee shall preside over the committee.

(7) Reports. The presiding officer shall file an annual written report with the department.

(A) The report may list the meeting dates of the committee and any subcommittees, the attendance records of its members, a brief description of actions taken by the committee, a description of how the committee has accomplished any specific tasks officially given to the committee, the status of any rules that were recommended by the committee, and anticipated activities of the committee for the next year.

(B) The report shall cover the meetings and activities in the immediate preceding 12 months and shall be filed with the department. The report shall be signed by the presiding officer.

(8) Committee abolished. By October 1, 2021, the executive commissioner will initiate and complete a review of the committee to determine whether the committee should be continued, consolidated with another committee, or abolished. If the committee is not continued or consolidated, the committee shall be abolished on that date.

Source Note: The provisions of this §265.29 adopted to be effective April 16, 2006, 31 TexReg 3049; amended to be effective March 13, 2014, 39 TexReg 1713; amended to be effective June 30, 2016, 41 TexReg 4647