ADVISORY COMMITTEE

(a) An advisory committee to assist the commission in administering this subchapter is composed of the following persons appointed by the commission: (1) two persons with disabilities that impair the ability to effectively access the telephone network other than disabilities described by Subdivisions (2)-(7); (2) one deaf person recommended by the Texas Deaf Caucus; (3) one deaf person recommended by the Texas Association of the Deaf; (4) one person with a hearing impairment recommended by Self-Help for the Hard of Hearing; (5) one person with a hearing impairment recommended by the American Association of Retired Persons; (6) one deaf and blind person recommended by the Texas Deaf/Blind Association; (7) one person with a speech impairment and one person with a speech and hearing impairment recommended by the Coalition of Texans with Disabilities; (8) two representatives of telecommunications utilities, one representing a nonlocal exchange utility and one representing a local exchange company, chosen from a list of candidates provided by the Texas Telephone Association; (9) two persons, at least one of whom is deaf, with experience in providing relay services recommended by the department; and (10) two public members recommended by organizations representing consumers of telecommunications services. (b) Members of the advisory committee serve two-year terms. A member whose term has expired shall continue to serve until a qualified replacement is appointed.