I. Purpose

Pursuant to Subchapter F, Chapter 88, Education Code of the Texas Racing Act (Article 179e, Vernon's Texas Civil Statutes) the Equine Research Account Advisory Committee, hereafter referred to as the "Advisory Committee" is created to advise and assist the Director of the Texas Agricultural Experiment Station in administering the account, making grants and planning of the annual conference on equine research. As further provided by law these by-laws are established to provide a system for the Advisory Committee to elect its own officers, and for the adoption of rules necessary for its own procedures.

II. Construction

These by-laws are to be interpreted in accordance with the law which shall supersede any provision of these by-laws found to be inconsistent therewith. A copy of the statute establishing and governing the fund is attached hereto and made a part hereof.

III. Offices

The principal office of the Advisory Committee shall be located at the Headquarters of the Texas Agricultural Experiment Station in College Station, Texas.

IV. Advisory Committee Members

1. General Powers

The affairs of the Advisory Committee shall be managed by its members, who shall be residents of the state of Texas.

2. Number and Qualifications

The make-up thereof, term of office, and procedure for establishing the Advisory Committee, is established in Section 88.523 of Subchapter F, Chapter 88 of the Texas Racing Act.

3. A member may, subject to the approval of the chairman, designate an alternate representative who shall have committee voting privileges in the absence of the member.

V. Meetings

1. Quorum

For the purposes of conducting business, a quorum shall be necessary. A majority of the full Advisory Committee shall constitute a quorum, and, except as otherwise provided herein a majority of those members present and voting shall be necessary to conduct business.

2. Regular Meetings

There shall be two scheduled meetings each year. The first meeting shall be held in May and a second meeting held in October. The meetings shall be held at a time and place designated by the Chairman.

The May meeting will deal primarily with advising the Extension Service on the planning of the annual conference on equine research. The October meeting, in addition to electing officers for the next year, shall be devoted to a review of all proposals for equine research grants for the next granting period. All proposals shall be ranked by the Advisory Committee, and such ranking along with the Advisory Committee's recommendations for funding submitted to the Director. In the event a member of the Advisory Committee has submitted a research proposal for funding, that member shall abstain from ranking his/her proposal.

3. Special Meetings

The Chairman may call special meetings at other times. Members shall be notified of such meetings at least ten days in advance. In addition, any three members may also call a special meeting upon written notification ten days in advance of such meeting.

VI. Officers

1. Officers

The officers of the Advisory Committee shall be a Chairman, a Vice-chairman, both of whom shall be members. In addition, the Chairman shall designate a Secretary who need not be a member.

2. At the end of the October meeting, there shall be an election of officers for the next year.

3. Chairman

The Chairman shall be the principal executive of the Advisory Committee. In addition to presiding at each meeting, the Chairman shall supervise and be responsible for the business of the Advisory Committee. He may sign all documents or other instruments which the Advisory Committee has authorized to be executed.

4. Vice-Chairman

In the absence of the Chairman or in event of his inability or refusal to act, the Vice-Chairman shall perform the duties of Chairman.

5. Secretary

The Secretary shall be designated by the Chairman, to keep and distribute the minutes of the meetings, see that all notices are duly given, be custodian of the Advisory Committee's records, keep a register of the post office address and telephone numbers of all members, prepare an agenda for each meeting as directed by the Chairman, and perform such other duties as may be directed by the Advisory Committee.

VII. Amendments

These by-laws may be altered, amended, or repealed by a 2/3rds majority of the full Advisory Committee at any meeting if at least 10 days notice thereafter is given of any such intended action.