(a) Each board committee shall be composed of board members appointed by the president of the board and shall include at least one physician member who holds the degree of doctor of osteopathic medicine and one public member.     
      (b) The following are standing and permanent committees of the board. The responsibilities and authority of these committees shall include the following duties and powers, and other responsibilities and charges that the board may from time to time delegate to these committees.      
        (1) Disciplinary Process Review Committee:                  (A) oversee the disciplinary process and give guidance to the board and board staff regarding means to improve the disciplinary process and more effectively enforce the Medical Practice Act and board rules;                   (B) monitor the effectiveness, appropriateness and timeliness of the disciplinary process and enforcement of the Medical Practice Act and board rules;                   (C) make recommendations regarding resolution and disposition of specific cases and approve, adopt, modify, or reject recommendations from board staff or board representatives regarding actions to be taken on pending cases;                   (D) approve dismissals of complaints and closure of investigations; and                   (E) make recommendations to the board staff and the board regarding policies, priorities, budget, and any other matters related to the disciplinary process and enforcement of the Medical Practice Act and board rules.         
        (2) Executive Committee:                  (A) ensure records are maintained of all committee actions;                   (B) delegate tasks to other committees;                   (C) take action on matters of urgency that may arise between board meetings;                   (D) assist in the presentation of information concerning the board and the regulation of the practice of medicine to the Legislature and other state officials;                   (E) review staff reports regarding finances and the budget;                   (F) formulate and make recommendations to the board concerning future board goals and objectives and the establishment of priorities and methods for their accomplishment;                   (G) study and make recommendations to the board regarding the roles and responsibilities of the board offices and committees;                   (H) study and make recommendations to the board regarding ways to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the administration of the board;                   (I) study and make recommendations to the board regarding board rules or any area of a board function that, in the judgment of the committee, needs consideration; and                   (J) make recommendations to the board regarding matters brought to the attention of the executive committee.         
        (3) Finance Committee:                  (A) review staff reports regarding finances and the budget;                   (B) assist in the presentation of budget needs to the Legislature and other state officials;                   (C) recommend proper fees for the agency to charge; and                   (D) consider and make recommendations to the board regarding any aspect of board finances.         
        (4) Licensure Committee:                  (A) review applications for licensure and permits, make determinations of eligibility and report to the board its recommendations as provided by the Medical Practice Act and board rules;                   (B) review board rules regarding licensure and make recommendations to the board regarding changes or implementation of such rules;                   (C) evaluate each examination accepted by the board and develop each examination administered by the board;                   (D) investigate and report to the board any problems in the administration of examinations and recommend and implement ways of correcting identified problems;                   (E) make recommendations to the board regarding postgraduate training permits and issues concerning physicians in training;                   (F) maintain communication with Texas medical schools;                   (G) develop rules with regard to international medical schools in the areas of curriculum, faculty, facilities, academic resources, and performance of graduates;                   (H) study and make recommendations regarding documentation and verification of records from all applicants for licensure or permits;                   (I) review applications for acudetox specialist certification, surgical assistants, perfusionists and medical physicists, make determinations of eligibility, and report to the board its recommendations as provided by Texas Occupations Code and board rules;                   (J) review applications and make initial determinations and recommendations to the board regarding approval, denial, revocation, decertification, or continued approval and certification of non-profit health organizations pursuant to the Medical Practice Act;                   (K) develop and review board rules regarding all persons and entities subject to the Board's jurisdiction, and make recommendations to the board regarding changes or implementation of such rules; and                   (L) review applications for surgical assistant licensure, make determinations, of eligibility, and report to the board its recommendations; and                   (M) make recommendations to the board regarding matters brought to the attention of the licensure committee.         
      (c) With statutory or board authorization, the president may appoint, disband, or reconvene standing, ad hoc, or advisory committees as deemed necessary. Such committees shall have and exercise such authority as may be granted by the board.     
     Source Note:        The provisions of this §161.6 adopted to be effective March 7, 2002, 27 TexReg 1486; amended to be effective September 19, 2002, 27 TexReg 8768; amended to be effective January 25, 2006, 31 TexReg 382; amended to be effective August 10, 2008, 33 TexReg 6132; amended to be effective November 14, 2019, 44 TexReg 6880