Sec. 8503.006. BOARD OF DIRECTORS. (a) The powers, rights, privileges, and functions of the authority shall be exercised by the board. The board shall consist of 15 directors and shall include at least one director from each of the counties named in Section 8503.003 except Travis County, which shall have two directors. Three directors shall be appointed at large from the counties served with electric power, other than the counties included in Section 8503.003.
(b) A director appointed at large may not serve for a period of more than six consecutive years. A county other than a county included in Section 8503.003 may not be represented on the board for more than six consecutive years. A county other than Travis County may not have two directors for a period greater than six consecutive years.
(c) All directors shall be appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the senate for staggered terms of six years, with five members' terms expiring on February 1 of each odd-numbered year.
(d) Each director must be a resident and freehold property taxpayer of the county from which the director is appointed and must have been a resident and taxpayer of that county for not less than the two years preceding the director's appointment. Not more than two directors may be residents of the same county.
(e) A person is not eligible for appointment as a director if the person has, during the three years preceding the person's appointment, been employed by an electric power and light company, a telephone company, or any other utility company.
(f) At the expiration of the term of a director, a successor shall be appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the senate. Each director shall hold office until the expiration of the term for which the director was appointed and until a successor has been appointed and has qualified, unless removed sooner as provided by this section.
(g) A director may be removed by the governor for inefficiency, neglect of duty, or misconduct in office after at least 30 days' written notice of the charges against the director and an opportunity to be heard in person or by counsel at a public hearing.
(h) The governor shall appoint a person to fill a vacancy on the board for the unexpired term.
(i) Each director shall qualify by taking the official oath of office prescribed by the constitution or general laws of the state.
(j) Each director is entitled to receive fees of office of not more than $150 per day and reimbursement of actual expenses incurred in accordance with Chapter 49, Water Code. However, no director may be paid per diem in excess of 150 days in any one calendar year.
(k) Eight directors constitute a quorum at any meeting and, except as otherwise provided by this chapter or in the bylaws, all action may be taken by the affirmative vote of a majority of the directors present at any meeting, except that bonds, notes, or other evidence of indebtedness are subject to the requirements of Sections 8503.004(p) and 8503.013(f), and no amendment of the bylaws shall be valid unless authorized or ratified by the affirmative vote of at least eight directors, unless otherwise specifically provided by this chapter.
(l) The board is a state board as contemplated by Section 30a, Article XVI, Texas Constitution.
Added by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 996, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 2003.
Renumbered from Water Code, Section 222.006 by Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 921 (H.B. 3167), Sec. 13.006(b), eff. September 1, 2007.
Amended by:
Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 921 (H.B. 3167), Sec. 13.006(h), eff. September 1, 2007.