Sec. 531.0051. HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMISSION EXECUTIVE COUNCIL. (a) The Health and Human Services Commission Executive Council is established to receive public input and advise the executive commissioner regarding the operation of the commission. The council shall seek and receive public comment on:

(1) proposed rules;

(2) recommendations of advisory committees;

(3) legislative appropriations requests or other documents related to the appropriations process;

(4) the operation of health and human services programs; and

(5) other items the executive commissioner determines appropriate.

(b) The council does not have authority to make administrative or policy decisions.

(c) The council is composed of:

(1) the executive commissioner;

(2) the director of each division established by the executive commissioner under Section 531.008(c);

(3) the commissioner of a health and human services agency;

(4) the commissioner of the Department of Family and Protective Services, regardless of whether that agency continues as a state agency separate from the commission; and

(5) other individuals appointed by the executive commissioner as the executive commissioner determines necessary.

(c-1) To the extent the executive commissioner appoints members to the council under Subsection (c)(4), the executive commissioner shall make every effort to ensure that those appointments result in a council membership that includes:

(1) a balanced representation of a broad range of health and human services industry and consumer interests; and

(2) representation from broad geographic regions of this state.

(d) The executive commissioner serves as the chair of the council and shall adopt rules for the operation of the council.

(e) Members of the council appointed under Subsection (c)(4):

(1) are subject to the restrictions applicable to service on the council provided by Section 531.006(a-1); and

(2) serve at the pleasure of the executive commissioner.

(f) The council shall meet at the call of the executive commissioner at least quarterly. The executive commissioner may call additional meetings as the executive commissioner determines necessary.

(g) The council shall comply with the requirements of Section 531.0165. The archived video and audio of a council meeting must be made available through the commission's Internet website.

(h) A majority of the members of the council constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.

(i) A council member appointed under Subsection (c)(4) may not receive compensation for service as a member of the council but is entitled to reimbursement for travel expenses incurred by the member while conducting the business of the council as provided by the General Appropriations Act.

(j) The executive commissioner shall develop and implement policies that provide the public with a reasonable opportunity to appear before the council which may include holding meetings in various geographic areas across this state, or through allowing public comment at teleconferencing centers in various geographic areas across this state and to speak on any issue under the jurisdiction of the commission.

(k) A meeting of individual members of the council that occurs in the ordinary course of commission operation is not a meeting of the council, and the requirements of Subsection (g) do not apply.

(l) This section does not limit the authority of the executive commissioner to establish additional advisory committees or councils.

(m) Except as provided by Section 531.0165(d), Chapters 551 and 2110 do not apply to the council.

Added by Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 837 (S.B. 200), Sec. 1.03(a), eff. September 1, 2015.

Amended by:

Acts 2017, 85th Leg., R.S., Ch. 81 (H.B. 630), Sec. 3, eff. September 1, 2017.

Acts 2017, 85th Leg., R.S., Ch. 312 (S.B. 1021), Sec. 1, eff. May 29, 2017.