1. (a) In this section:

   1. (1) "Council" means the Specialty Courts Advisory Council.

   2. (2) "Specialty court" means:

      1. (A) a drug court program established under Chapter 469, Health and Safety Code;
      2. (B) a mental health court program established under Chapter 616, Health and Safety Code; and
      3. (C) a veterans court program established under Chapter 617, Health and Safety Code.
2. (b) The governor shall establish the Specialty Courts Advisory Council within the criminal justice division established under Section 772.006 to evaluate applications for grant funding for specialty courts in this state and to make funding recommendations to the criminal justice division.

3. (c) The council is composed of seven members appointed by the governor as follows:

   1. (1) three members with experience as judges of a specialty court; and
   2. (2) four members who represent the public.

4. (d) The members appointed under Subsection (c)(2) must:

   1. (1) reside in various geographic regions of the state; and
   2. (2) have experience practicing law in a specialty court or possess knowledge and expertise in a field relating to behavioral or mental health issues or to substance abuse treatment.
5. (e) Members are appointed for staggered six-year terms. The terms of either two or three members, as applicable, expire February 1 of each odd-numbered year.
6. (f) A person may not be a member of the council if the person is required to register as a lobbyist under Chapter 305 because of the person's activities for compensation on behalf of a profession related to the operation of the council.
7. (g) If a vacancy occurs on the council, the governor shall appoint a person to serve for the remainder of the unexpired term.
8. (h) The council shall select a presiding officer.
9. (i) The council shall meet at the call of its presiding officer or at the request of the governor.

Added by Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 287 (H.B. 1771), Sec. 1, eff. June 17, 2011.

Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1205 (S.B. 1474), Sec. 11, eff. September 1, 2015.

Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1236 (S.B. 1296), Sec. 9.009, eff. September 1, 2015.