COMPOSITION OF RESEARCH COORDINATING BOARD.

(a) The Texas Adult Stem Cell Research Coordinating Board is composed of seven members appointed as follows:

(1) three members who are interested persons, including at least one person who represents an institution of higher education and one person who is a representative of an advocacy organization representing patients, appointed by the governor, with the advice and consent of the senate;

(2) two members who are interested persons appointed by the lieutenant governor; and

(3) two members who are interested persons appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives.

(b) The governor shall designate as the presiding officer of the research coordinating board a board member appointed under Subsection (a)(1) who represents an institution of higher education. The presiding officer serves in that capacity at the will of the governor.

(c) The members of the research coordinating board serve staggered six-year terms. If a vacancy occurs on the board, the appropriate appointing authority shall appoint, in the same manner as the original appointment, another person to serve for the remainder of the unexpired term.