(a) The commission may establish advisory committees in accordance with Texas Government Code, Chapter 2110. The following shall apply to each advisory committee:
  (1) Agency role. The executive director may direct one or more staff members of the agency to assist each advisory committee. These positions shall be non-voting.
  (2) Committee size and appointment of members. Each advisory committee shall be composed of nine members appointed by the commission. Members of each committee serve at the pleasure of the commission and may be removed from a committee by a majority vote of the commission.
  (3) Committee chair and vice chair.
    (A) The committee chair will be selected by the commission. The committee chair shall serve a term as determined by the commission. The committee chair determines the agenda for each meeting.
    (B) The vice chair of each advisory committee is selected by the committee's voting members. Committee vice chair term lengths are one or two-year terms as determined by the committee's voting members and are limited to two years of service as the vice chair during their appointment to the committee. The vice chair shall perform the chair duties when the chair is unavailable or unable to perform.
  (4) Conditions of membership.
    (A) Terms of service. The term of office for each member will be determined by the commission in order to achieve staggered terms. In the event that a member cannot complete his or her term, or is removed by the commission, the commission shall appoint a qualified replacement to serve the remainder of the term.
    (B) Participation. Participation on an advisory committee is voluntary.
    (C) Compensation. Advisory committee members appointed by the commission shall serve without compensation.
    (D) Reimbursement. The commission may, if authorized by law and the executive director, reimburse a member of a committee for reasonable and necessary expenses up to four times per calendar year. Current rules and laws governing reimbursement of expenses for state employees shall govern reimbursement of expenses for advisory committee members.
  (5) Training. Each committee member shall receive initial training to ensure compliance with the Open Meetings Act. Training should also include an overview of the agency's mission and organizational structure, the overall purpose or goals of the committee, as well as other information that will assist members to accomplish committee goals.
  (6) Responsibilities. Each advisory committee will review issues and provide advice to the commission, as charged by the commission.
  (7) Meetings. Each advisory committee shall meet as needed by the commission. Advisory committee meetings may be conducted by video conference. Each advisory committee shall be subject to meeting at the call of the committee chair or designee. A quorum shall consist of a majority of the committee membership. The committees shall comply with Open Meetings Act requirements as provided in Texas Government Code, Chapter 551.
  (8) Reports. The committee chair or designee of each advisory committee shall regularly report to the commission regarding its activities and recommendations, and, when requested by the commission, shall file with the commission a report containing:
    (A) the minutes of meetings;
    (B) a memo summarizing the meetings; and
    (C) a list of the committee's recommendations, if any.
  (9) Evaluation and duration. Each advisory committee shall remain in existence as long as deemed necessary by the commission based on a regular evaluation of the continuing need for each advisory committee. The executive director or staff may assist with this evaluation at the direction of the commission.
  (10) Formation of subcommittees. Each advisory committee shall notify the commission of any adopted subcommittees and their purpose in its quarterly report.
(b) Veteran Services Advisory Committee.
  (1) Purpose. The purpose of the Veteran Services Advisory Committee (VSAC) is to develop recommendations to improve overall services to veterans, their families, and survivors by the TVC. TVC leadership will provide veteran service topics to the committee for analysis and feedback.
  (2) Committee member qualifications. The Committee shall be comprised of veterans and/or non-veterans that are interested in significantly improving the quality of life for all Texas veterans, their families, and survivors.
(c) Fund for Veterans' Assistance Advisory Committee.
  (1) Purpose. The purpose of the Fund for Veterans' Assistance Advisory Committee is to evaluate grant applications and make recommendations to the commission.
  (2) Committee member qualifications.
    (A) Committee members may include representatives from veterans' organizations, non-profit or philanthropic organizations, veterans or family members of veterans, and other individuals with the experience and knowledge to assist the committee with achievement of its purpose.
    (B) Committee members may not include officers, directors or employees of organization or entities that have an open Fund for Veterans' Assistance grant during the member's tenure or that intend to submit an application for a Fund for Veterans' Assistant grant.
    (C) Committee members will be required to sign non-disclosure and conflict of interest agreements before reviewing grant applications. Committee members found in violation of the non-disclosure agreement will be prohibited from evaluating grant applications and making recommendations to the commission. Committee members found in violation of any agreement may also be removed from the committee by the commission.
  (3) Meetings. The Fund for Veterans' Assistance Advisory Committee shall meet as needed to make grant recommendations to the commission.
(d) Veterans County Service Officer Advisory Committee.
  (1) Purpose. The purpose of the Veterans County Service Officer Advisory Committee is to develop recommendations to improve the support and training of Veterans County Service Officers and to increase coordination between Veterans County Service Officers and the Texas Veterans Commission related to the statewide network of services being provided to veterans.
  (2) Committee member qualifications. The members shall be current Veterans County Service Officers with the experience and knowledge to assist the committee with achievement of its purpose.

Source Note: The provisions of this §452.2 adopted to be effective November 15, 2007, 32 TexReg 8168; amended to be effective December 12, 2011, 36 TexReg 8387; amended to be effective May 24, 2012, 37 TexReg 3737; amended to be effective May 30, 2013, 38 TexReg 3357; amended to be effective November 30, 2014, 39 TexReg 9267; amended to be effective June 3, 2018, 43 TexReg 3482; amended to be effective June 7, 2020, 45 TexReg 3640; amended to be effective June 3, 2021, 46 TexReg 3419; amended to be effective January 1, 2023, 47 TexReg 9037; amended to be effective June 1, 2023, 48 TexReg 2728