COMMISSION

(a) The Texas Transportation Commission consists of five members appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the senate. (b) The members shall be appointed to reflect the diverse geographic regions and population groups of this state. One member must reside in a rural area and be a registered voter of a county with a population of less than 150,000. (b-1) A member of the commission may not accept a contribution to a campaign for election to an elected office. If a commissioner accepts a campaign contribution, the person is considered to have resigned from the office and the office immediately becomes vacant. The vacancy shall be filled in the manner provided by law. (c) Each member of the commission must represent the general public. (d) A person is not eligible to serve as a member of the commission if the person or the person's spouse: (1) is employed by or participates in the management of a business entity or other organization that is regulated by or receives funds from the department; (2) directly or indirectly owns or controls more than 10 percent interest in a business entity or other organization that is regulated by or receives funds from the department; (3) uses or receives a substantial amount of tangible goods, services, or funds from the department, other than compensation or reimbursement authorized by law for commission membership, attendance, or expenses; or (4) is registered, certified, or licensed by the department. (e) Repealed by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 1171, Sec. 1.49, eff. Sept. 1, 1997. (f) An officer, employee, or paid consultant of a Texas trade association in the field of road construction or maintenance, aviation, or outdoor advertising is not eligible to serve as a member of the commission. (g) The spouse of an officer, manager, or paid consultant of a Texas trade association in the field of road construction or maintenance, aviation, or outdoor advertising is not eligible to serve as a member of the commission. (h) A person required to register as a lobbyist under Chapter 305, Government Code, because of the person's activities for compensation on behalf of a profession related to the operation of the department is not eligible to serve as a member of the commission. (i) Appointments to the commission shall be made without regard to race, color, disability, sex, religion, age, or national origin of the appointees and shall reflect the diversity of the population of the state as a whole. (j) In this section, "Texas trade association" means a cooperative and voluntarily joined statewide association of business or professional competitors in this state designed to assist its members and its industry or profession in dealing with mutual business or professional problems and in promoting their common interest.