1. (a) The commissioner of education shall:

   1. (1) determine the number of review panels needed to review electronic textbooks and instructional materials under consideration for adoption; and
   2. (2) determine the number of persons to serve on each panel.
2. (b) Each appointment to an electronic textbooks and instructional materials review panel shall be made by the commissioner.
3. (c) The commissioner shall make appointments to electronic textbooks and instructional materials review panels that ensure that each panel consists of at least two recognized experts in the subject area of the electronic textbooks and instructional materials and at least one expert in the field of educational technology.
4. (d) The term recognized expert includes university professors, public school teachers, members of the business community, and citizens of Texas with a strong background in a particular discipline.

5. (e) The commissioner of education shall solicit recommendations for possible appointees to electronic textbooks and instructional materials review panels from:

   1. (1) school districts, open-enrollment charter schools, and educational organizations in the state; and
   2. (2) members of the State Board of Education.
6. (f) Recommendations may be accepted from any Texas resident.
7. (g) Nominations shall not be made by or accepted from any publishers, authors, depositories, or hardware or software providers or any person who holds any official position with a publisher, author, depository, hardware or software provider, or agent.
8. (h) Members of an electronic textbooks and instructional materials review panel may be removed at the discretion of the commissioner.

Source Note:The provisions of this §66.1017 adopted to be effective November 21, 2010, 35 TexReg 10220.