(a) There is created a Tennessee equine health advisory commission, which consists of nine (9) members as follows:
Terms Used In Tennessee Code 43-13-103
Agriculture: means :(i) The land, buildings and machinery used in the commercial production of farm products and nursery stock. See Tennessee Code 1-3-105
State: when applied to the different parts of the United States, includes the District of Columbia and the several territories of the United States. See Tennessee Code 1-3-105
(1) The commissioner of agriculture, or the commissioner’s designee, as an ex officio voting member;(2) One (1) member appointed by the governor who is licensed to practice veterinary medicine under title 63, chapter 12, part 1, who has experience in the equine industry in this state, to be chosen from a list of eligible nominees from the Tennessee Veterinary Medical Association;(3) One (1) public member appointed by the speaker of the senate;(4) One (1) public member appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives; and(5) Five (5) public members appointed by the governor.(b) Of the members appointed under subdivision (a)(5), the governor shall strive to appoint members from each grand division of this state.(c) The governor shall appoint initial members of the commission to staggered terms as follows:
(1) The veterinarian appointed under subdivision (a)(2), the public member appointed under subdivision (a)(3), the public member appointed under subdivision (a)(4), and one (1) of the members appointed under subdivision (a)(5) are appointed to serve initial terms of six (6) years; and(2) Four (4) of the members appointed under subdivision (a)(5) are appointed to serve initial terms of four (4) years.(d) The terms of initial appointees to the commission commence on August 1, 2020. All subsequent appointments are for four-year terms that begin on July 1 and end on June 30.(e) The commission is attached to the department of agriculture for administrative purposes.
