32-1702

32-1702. Board of optometry; appointment; qualifications; term; removal

A. There is established a state board of optometry which consists of six members appointed by the governor. Terms of office are for four years expiring on July 1 of the respective year. Four members shall have been licensed and engaged in the active practice of the profession of optometry in this state for at least three years immediately prior to appointment, one member shall be a physician licensed pursuant to chapter 13 or 17 of this title, and one member shall be a lay person with no interest, direct or indirect, in the practices of optometry, opticianry or medicine.

B. The governor may remove any professional member for incompetency or unprofessional conduct or when his license has been revoked or suspended or when he has been censured or placed on probation. The governor may remove any member for neglect of duty or improper conduct. The unexcused absence of a member for more than two consecutive meetings is justification for removal. Appointment by the governor to fill a vacancy caused other than by expiration of a term is for the unexpired portion of the term.

C. A member of the board is ineligible to serve more than two consecutive full terms. The completion of the unexpired portion of a full term does not constitute a full term for purposes of this subsection.

D. The board shall conduct regular meetings at least six times each year at times and places designated by the board or the governor. Special meetings may be called that the president determines are necessary to carry out the functions of the board, including meetings using communications equipment that allows all members participating in the meetings to hear each other.

E. A majority of the members of the board constitutes a quorum and a majority vote of a quorum present at any meeting governs all actions taken by the board.