1. (a) Each board committee shall be composed of board members appointed by the president of the board and shall include at least one physician member who holds the degree of doctor of osteopathic medicine and one public member.

2. (b) The following are standing and permanent committees of the board. The responsibilities and authority of these committees shall include the following duties and powers, and other responsibilities and charges that the board may from time to time delegate to these committees.

   1. (1) Disciplinary Process Review Committee:

      1. (A) oversee the disciplinary process and give guidance to the board and board staff regarding means to improve the disciplinary process and more effectively enforce the Medical Practice Act and board rules;
      2. (B) monitor the effectiveness, appropriateness and timeliness of the disciplinary process and enforcement of the Medical Practice Act and board rules;
      3. (C) make recommendations regarding resolution and disposition of specific cases and approve, adopt, modify, or reject recommendations from board staff or board representatives regarding actions to be taken on pending cases;
      4. (D) approve dismissals of complaints and closure of investigations; and
      5. (E) make recommendations to the board staff and the board regarding policies, priorities, budget, and any other matters related to the disciplinary process and enforcement of the Medical Practice Act and board rules.

   2. (2) Executive Committee:

      1. (A) ensure records are maintained of all committee actions;
      2. (B) delegate tasks to other committees;
      3. (C) take action on matters of urgency that may arise between board meetings;
      4. (D) assist in the presentation of information concerning the board and the regulation of the practice of medicine to the Legislature and other state officials;
      5. (E) review staff reports regarding finances and the budget;
      6. (F) formulate and make recommendations to the board concerning future board goals and objectives and the establishment of priorities and methods for their accomplishment;
      7. (G) study and make recommendations to the board regarding the roles and responsibilities of the board offices and committees;
      8. (H) study and make recommendations to the board regarding ways to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the administration of the board;
      9. (I) study and make recommendations to the board regarding board rules or any area of a board function that, in the judgment of the committee, needs consideration; and
      10. (J) make recommendations to the board regarding matters brought to the attention of the executive committee.

   3. (3) Finance Committee:

      1. (A) review staff reports regarding finances and the budget;
      2. (B) assist in the presentation of budget needs to the Legislature and other state officials;
      3. (C) recommend proper fees for the agency to charge; and
      4. (D) consider and make recommendations to the board regarding any aspect of board finances.

   4. (4) Legislative Committee:

      1. (A) review and make recommendations to the board regarding proposed legislative changes concerning the Medical Practice Act and the regulation of medicine;
      2. (B) establish communication with members of the Legislature, trade associations, consumer groups, and related groups;
      3. (C) assist in the organization, preparation, and delivery of information and testimony to members and committees of the Legislature; and
      4. (D) make recommendations to the board regarding matters brought to the attention of the legislative committee.

   5. (5) Licensure Committee:

      1. (A) review applications for licensure and permits, make determinations of eligibility and report to the board its recommendations as provided by the Medical Practice Act and board rules;
      2. (B) review board rules regarding licensure and make recommendations to the board regarding changes or implementation of such rules;
      3. (C) evaluate each examination accepted by the board and develop each examination administered by the board;
      4. (D) investigate and report to the board any problems in the administration of examinations and recommend and implement ways of correcting identified problems;
      5. (E) make recommendations to the board regarding postgraduate training permits and issues concerning physicians in training;
      6. (F) maintain communication with Texas medical schools;
      7. (G) develop rules with regard to international medical schools in the areas of curriculum, faculty, facilities, academic resources, and performance of graduates;
      8. (H) study and make recommendations regarding documentation and verification of records from all applicants for licensure or permits;
      9. (I) review applications for acudetox specialist certification, make determinations of eligibility, and report to the board its recommendations as provided by Texas Occupations Code Annotated, 205.303;
      10. (J) review applications for acupuncture licensure recommended by the Texas State Board of Acupuncture Examiners, make determinations of eligibility, and report to the board its recommendations;
      11. (K) review applications for approval and certification of non-profit health organizations pursuant to the Medical Practice Act;
      12. (L) review applications and reports for continued approval and certification of non-profit health organizations pursuant to the Medical Practice Act;
      13. (M) make initial determinations and recommendations to the board regarding approval, denial, revocation, decertification, or continued approval and certification of non-profit health organizations pursuant to the Medical Practice Act;
      14. (N) review board rules regarding non-profit health organizations, and make recommendations to the board regarding changes or implementation of such rules; and
      15. (O) make recommendations to the board regarding matters brought to the attention of the licensure committee.

   6. (6) Public Information/Physician Profile Committee:

      1. (A) develop information for distribution to the public;
      2. (B) review and make recommendations to the board in regard to press releases, newsletters, web-sites and other publications;
      3. (C) study and make recommendations to the board regarding all aspects of public information and public relations;
      4. (D) receive information from the public concerning the regulation of medicine pursuant to a published agenda item and board rules;
      5. (E) study and make recommendation to the board regarding all aspects of physician profiles; and
      6. (F) make recommendations to the board regarding matters brought to the attention of the public information/physician profile committee.

   7. (7) Standing Orders Committee:

      1. (A) review and make recommendations to the board regarding board rules pertaining to standing orders;
      2. (B) study and make recommendations to the board regarding issues concerning or referred by the Texas State Board of Acupuncture Examiners or other acupuncture issues;
      3. (C) study and make recommendations to the board regarding issues concerning or referred by the Texas Physician Assistant Board;
      4. (D) study and make recommendations to the board concerning ethical issues related to the practice of medicine; and
      5. (E) make recommendations to the board regarding matters brought to the attention of the standing orders committee.

   8. (8) Telemedicine Committee:

      1. (A) review, study, and make recommendations to the board concerning the practice of telemedicine, including but not limited to licensure, regulation, and/or discipline of telemedicine license holders or applicants;
      2. (B) review, study, and make recommendations to the board concerning interstate and intrastate telemedicine issues;
      3. (C) review, study, and make recommendations to the board concerning board rules regarding or affecting the practice of telemedicine; and
      4. (D) review, study, and make recommendations to the board concerning any other issue brought to the attention of the committee.
3. (c) With statutory or board authorization, the president may appoint, disband, or reconvene standing, ad hoc, or advisory committees as deemed necessary. Such committees shall have and exercise such authority as may be granted by the board.

Source Note:The provisions of this §161.6 adopted to be effective March 7, 2002, 27 TexReg 1486; amended to be effective September 19, 2002, 27 TexReg 8768; amended to be effective January 25, 2006, 31 TexReg 382.