(a) The chancellor shall appoint the following standing committees and designate the leadership of each committee:

1. (1) Higher Education.
2. (2) P-12 Education.
3. (3) Cultural Education.
4. (4) Ethics.
5. (5) Professional Practice.
6. (6) Adult Career and Continuing Education Services (ACCES).
7. (7) Audits/Budget and Finance.

(d) The functions of the standing committees shall include:

1. (1) Committee on Higher Education:

   1. (i) develops policy recommendations regarding postsecondary education and retraining programs, and monitors implementation of such functions by the department;
   2. (ii) oversees preparation of the statewide plan for higher education and reviews and approves amendments to institutional or sectorial master plans for new programs and facilities;
   3. (iii) reviews and approves amendments to the Rules of the Board of Regents and Regulations of the Commissioner of Education pertaining to postsecondary education issues, including academic program approval, and student and institutional financial aid;
   4. (iv) monitors the financial conditions of postsecondary institutions;
   5. (v) develops legislative and budgetary proposals for higher education and monitors advocacy of such proposals;
   6. (vi) recommends appointments to advisory councils and boards;
   7. (vii) seeks input from the public and the field concerning postsecondary education policies and practices; and
   8. (viii) reviews and makes recommendations to the full board on incorporation and chartering of higher education institutions and organizations, and institutions offering professional education programs.

2. (2) Committee on P-12 Education shall have the following functions with respect to elementary, middle and secondary education, including special education programs and related educational services to students with disabilities:

   1. (i) develops policy recommendations regarding elementary, middle and secondary education and coordination of interagency agreements and activities;
   2. (ii) reviews the monitoring of elementary, middle and secondary education programs, services, and results;
   3. (iii) monitors State aid programs to elementary, middle and secondary schools;
   4. (iv) seeks input from the public and the professional field concerning elementary, middle and secondary education policies and practices;
   5. (v) reviews and approves amendments to the rules of the Board of Regents and regulations of the Commissioner of Education pertaining to elementary, middle and secondary education;
   6. (vi) reviews the provision of technical assistance to elementary, middle and secondary schools;
   7. (vii) develops legislative and budgetary proposals for elementary, middle and secondary education and monitors the advocacy of such proposals, and leads in pressing for legislative and budgetary priorities within the department and with the Legislature;
   8. (viii) initiates studies and activities leading to the improvement of educational conditions and outcomes for children from birth through high school graduation; and
   9. (ix) reviews and makes recommendations to the full board on incorporation and chartering of institutions and organizations proposing to offer prekindergarten, kindergarten, elementary, middle or secondary education programs.

3. (3) Committee on Cultural Education:

   1. (i) assists the full board in serving as trustees of the State Library, the State Museum and the State Archives;
   2. (ii) develops policy recommendations regarding cultural education;
   3. (iii) develops and monitors State aid programs to cultural institutions and organizations;
   4. (iv) monitors the implementation of programs and services for government provided by the Office of Cultural Education;
   5. (v) develops budgetary and legislative proposals for cultural education and advocates such proposals and cultural education policies in conjunction with the full Board;
   6. (vi) reviews and approves amendments to the Rules of the Board of Regents and Regulations of the Commissioner of Education concerning cultural education;
   7. (vii) seeks input from the public and the professional field concerning cultural education policies and practices; and
   8. (viii) reviews and makes recommendations to the full board on incorporation or chartering of cultural institutions or organizations.

4. (4) Committee on Ethics:

   1. (i) develops written guidelines for ethical conduct by board members;
   2. (ii) assures that board members are advised by the Office of Counsel with respect to requirements of Public Officers Law and other relevant laws and regulations relating to the conduct of Regents;
   3. (iii) advises board members when potential conflicts of interest arise;
   4. (iv) reviews allegations of unethical conduct against or by board members;
   5. (v) makes reports and recommendations to the full board as appropriate; and
   6. (vi) reviews written guidelines applicable to State Education Department employees.

5. (5) Committee on Professional Practice:

   1. (i) develops policy recommendations regarding standards of professional conduct, continuing competence standards, professional practice issues, professional manpower issues, professional licensure requirements including licensing examination requirements, which shall include issues concerning minority access to professional education, licensing examinations and licensure, professional assistance programs, and the professional disciplinary process, and monitors implementation of such functions by the department;
   2. (ii) reviews and approves amendments to the Rules of the Board of Regents and Regulations of the Commissioner of Education relating to professional education, licensure, continuing competence, practice, and discipline;
   3. (iii) develops legislative and budgetary proposals relating to professional practice and professional discipline policies and practices;
   4. (iv) oversees administration of continuing competence requirements for professional licensure and registration;
   5. (v) reviews Regents Review Committee recommendations and proposed consent orders and surrenders of license in professional discipline cases;
   6. (vi) reviews Regents Review Committee recommendations in proceedings relating to the unauthorized practice of the professions or the unauthorized use of a professional title;
   7. (vii) reviews the recommendations of the Staff Committee on the Professions on petitions for restoration of a professional license;
   8. (viii) reviews and approves the recommendations of the Staff Committee on the Professions on application for waiver of licensure requirements;
   9. (ix) seeks input from the public and professions concerning professional practice and professional discipline policies and practices;
   10. (x) reviews and approves appointments to the State Boards for the Professions;
   11. (xi) reviews and makes recommendations to the full board on incorporation and chartering of professional organizations and non-degree granting institutions or organizations related to the professions; and
   12. (xii) reviews recommendations of the department relating to applications from international medical schools to place their students in long-term clinical clerkships in New York State.

6. (6) Committee on Adult Career and Continuing Education Services (ACCES):

   1. (i) develops policy recommendations regarding adult education and workforce development, vocational rehabilitation, and proprietary school supervision, overall coordination of such programs and services, and coordination of interagency agreements and activities;
   2. (ii) monitors the implementation of adult education and workforce development, vocational rehabilitation, and proprietary school supervision, and interagency agreements;
   3. (iii) develops legislative and budgetary proposals for adult education and workforce development, vocational rehabilitation, and proprietary school supervision, and monitors the advocacy of such proposals, and leads in pressing for legislative and budgetary priorities within the department and with the Legislature;
   4. (iv) reviews and approves amendments to the rules of the Board of Regents and regulations of the Commissioner of Education relating to adult education and workforce development, vocational rehabilitation, and proprietary school supervision; and
   5. (v) seeks input from the public and professional field on policies and practices concerning adult education and workforce development, vocational rehabilitation, and proprietary school supervision.

7. (7) Committee on Audits/Budget and Finance shall assist the Board of Regents in carrying out its financial oversight responsibilities by ensuring accountability through centralizing review and discussion of fiscal and audit issues related to the State Education Department. The committee shall:

   1. (i) review State and Federal budget actions;
   2. (ii) review financial reports and all audits of the department;
   3. (iii) recommend budget priorities for the upcoming State fiscal year and actions needed to achieve budget reductions and close structural deficits;
   4. (iv) review select audits of other institutions in the University of the State of New York which may require department action and submit recommendations and reports to the full board, as appropriate; and
   5. (v) provide oversight of the department's office of audit services.