ADVISORY BOARD.

(a) The commission shall establish an advisory board to advise the commission and make recommendations on matters related to the administration and enforcement of this chapter, including licensing fees and standards adopted under Subchapter E.

(b) The advisory board consists of nine members appointed by the presiding officer of the commission with the approval of the commission as follows:

(1) two members who are licensed breeders;

(2) two members who are veterinarians;

(3) two members who represent animal welfare organizations each of which has an office based in this state;

(4) two members who represent the public; and

(5) one member who is an animal control officer as defined in Section 829.001, Health and Safety Code.

(c) Members of the advisory board serve staggered six-year terms. If a vacancy occurs during a member's term, the presiding officer of the commission, with the approval of the commission, shall appoint a replacement member to serve for the remainder of the unexpired term.

(d) The presiding officer of the commission shall designate one member of the advisory board to serve as presiding officer of the advisory board for a two-year term. A member may serve more than one term as presiding officer.

(e) Except for the members described by Subsection (b)(1), a person may not be a member of the advisory board if the person or a member of the person's household:

(1) is required to be licensed under this chapter;

(2) is an officer, employee, or paid consultant of an entity required to be licensed under this chapter;

(3) owns or controls, either directly or indirectly, more than a 10 percent interest in an entity required to be licensed under this chapter; or

(4) is required to register as a lobbyist under Chapter 305, Government Code, because of the person's activities for compensation on behalf of an entity required to be licensed under this chapter.

(f) The presiding officer of the commission may remove from the advisory board a member who is ineligible for membership under Subsection (e).

(g) A member may not receive compensation for service on the advisory board. Subject to the department's budget and any limitation provided by the General Appropriations Act, a board member may receive reimbursement for the actual and necessary expenses incurred while performing advisory board duties.

(h) A decision of the advisory board is effective only on a majority vote of the members present.

(i) Chapter 2110, Government Code, does not apply to the size, composition, or duration of the advisory board or to the appointment of the board's presiding officer.