APPOINTMENT OF COUNCIL; TERMS OF MEMBERS.

(a) The Council on Cardiovascular Disease and Stroke is composed of:

(1) 11 public members appointed by the governor, with the advice and consent of the senate, as follows:

(A) a licensed physician with a specialization in cardiology;

(B) a licensed physician with a specialization in neurology to treat stroke;

(C) a licensed physician employed in a primary care setting;

(D) a registered nurse with a specialization in quality improvement practices for cardiovascular disease and stroke;

(E) a registered and licensed dietitian;

(F) two persons with experience and training in public health policy, research, or practice;

(G) two consumer members, with special consideration given to persons actively participating in the Texas affiliates of the American Heart Association or American Stroke Association, managed care, or hospital or rehabilitation settings; and

(H) two members from the general public that have or care for persons with cardiovascular disease or stroke; and

(2) one nonvoting member representing each of the state agencies that oversee:

(A) health services;

(B) assistive and rehabilitative services; and

(C) aging and disability services.

(b) In appointing public members under Subsection (a)(1), the governor shall attempt to appoint female members and members of different minority groups, including African Americans, Hispanic Americans, Native Americans, and Asian Americans.

(c) The head of each agency overseeing services listed in Subsection (a)(2) shall appoint the agency's representative nonvoting member.

(d) Public members of the council serve staggered six-year terms, with the terms of three or four of the public members expiring February 1 of each odd-numbered year. A nonvoting member representing a state agency serves at the will of the appointing agency.