BILL REQ. #:  S-0625.1 

Read first time 01/16/2003.   Referred to Committee on Agriculture.

     AN ACT Relating to qualifications for appointment to the veterinary board of governors; and amending RCW 18.92.021.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

Sec. 1   RCW 18.92.021 and 1983 c 2 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) There is created a Washington state veterinary board of governors consisting of six members, five of whom shall be licensed veterinarians, and one of whom shall be a lay member.
     (2) The licensed members shall be appointed by the governor. At the time of their appointment the licensed members of the board must be actual residents of the state in active practice as licensed practitioners of veterinary medicine, surgery, and dentistry and must be citizens of the United States. Not more than one licensed member shall be from the same congressional district. At least two licensed members shall be from eastern Washington. At least one licensed member shall be in active practice with a substantial focus on large animal veterinary medicine. The board shall not be deemed to be unlawfully constituted and a member of the board shall not be deemed ineligible to serve the remainder of the member's unexpired term on the board solely by reason of the establishment of new or revised boundaries for congressional districts.
     The terms of the first licensed members of the board shall be as follows: One member for five, four, three, two, and one years respectively. Thereafter the terms shall be for five years and until their successors are appointed and qualified.
     (3) The lay member shall be appointed by the governor for a five year term and until the lay member's successor is appointed.
     (4) A member may be appointed to serve a second term, if that term does not run consecutively. Vacancies in the board shall be filled by the governor, the appointee to hold office for the remainder of the unexpired term.
     (5) Officers of the board shall be a chairman and a secretary-treasurer to be chosen by the members of the board from among its members.
     (6) Four members of the board shall constitute a quorum at meetings of the board.