1. (a) The following are standing and permanent committees of the board, as established by the board in accordance with the Nursing Practice Act. The responsibilities and authority of these committees include those duties and powers as set forth including other responsibilities and charges which the board may from time to time delegate to these committees.

2. (b) Eligibility and Disciplinary Committee.

   1. (1) Members of the committee shall be appointed by the president and shall consist of one consumer member and two nurse members.
   2. (2) The chair shall be named by the president.
   3. (3) Duties and powers. The disciplinary committee shall have the authority to determine matters of eligibility for licensure and discipline of licenses, including temporary suspension of a license, and administrative and civil penalties.
3. (c) Education Liaison. The three board members representing nursing educational programs shall serve as advisory to the staff on matters pertaining to faculty waivers, proposed curriculum revisions and other issues that may arise between regular board meetings. The recommendations of the liaison members are presented to the board at the next regular meeting for ratification.
4. (d) Advanced Practice Liaison. Three members shall be designated by the president to serve as advisory to the staff on matters pertaining to advanced practitioner waivers and other issues that may arise between regular board meetings. The recommendation of the liaison members are presented to the board at the next regular meeting for ratification.
5. (e) Other standing or ad hoc committees. The board may designate other standing or ad hoc committees as deemed necessary. Such committees shall have and exercise such authority as may be granted by the board.

6. (f) Statutory Committees.

   1. (1) Pursuant to the Health and Safety Code, §142.016, the Board of Nurse Examiners (BNE) and the Texas Department of Health (TDH) shall review their Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) relating to nursing services annually and renew or modify the MOU as necessary.
   2. (2) The BNE and the TDH shall consult with an advisory committee with minimum composition requirements stated in §142.016(b) in any modification or renewal of the MOU.
   3. (3) Nothing in the MOU shall be construed to alter the jurisdiction of the BNE or TDH regarding the definition or regulation of the practice of professional nursing.

   4. (4) The Laws and Regulations and Competency Advisory Committees advise and make recommendations to the Board regarding mechanisms to assure that RNs understand the laws and regulations affecting the practice of professional nursing and on matters relating to ensuring the maintenance of continued competency of registered nurses respectively.

      1. (A) Composition. The composition of the committees shall include representatives of those organizations identified in V.T.C.A., Occupations Code, Chapter 301.160 (g) and (h).

      2. (B) Presiding Officer; Committee Structure.

         1. (i) A board member appointed by the President will serve as Chairperson to the Committee.
         2. (ii) Agency staff assigned by the Executive Director will provide agency support to the Committee and Chair.
         3. (iii) Consultants may be invited as needed.
         4. (iv) Contracts/grants may be awarded to meet statutory requirements.
         5. (v) The committee shall meet as often as needed to complete its purpose.

      3. (C) Reimbursement of Member Expenses.

         1. (i) Reimbursement of expenses incurred for official committee business must be authorized by the General Appropriations Act as set forth in the Government Code, Chapter 2110.
         2. (ii) No compensatory per diem shall be paid to committee members unless required by law.
         3. (iii) A committee member who is an employee of the state other than the Board may not receive expenses from the Board.

      4. (D) Reporting Requirements.

         1. (i) The committee shall issue an annual report beginning November 1, 1998 of any pilot programs developed and approved and the status of such, including any findings regarding their effectiveness.
         2. (ii) Reports shall be mailed to statewide nursing associations, RN educators, and RN employers who request a copy.
         3. (iii) A report shall be filed biennially with the Legislative Budget Board and a final report shall be filed no later than September 1, 2000 providing an evaluation of the committee's work, usefulness, costs related to the committee's existence, including cost of staff time.
      5. (E) The committee(s) shall be in existence until the final report has been prepared for the Legislative session of January 2001, unless the Board abolished the committee sooner upon completion of its purpose.
7. (g) Advisory Committees. The president may appoint, with the authorization of the board, advisory committees for the performance of such activities as may be appropriate.

Source Note:The provisions of this §211.6 adopted to be effective October 17, 1999, 24 TexReg 8746.