(1) There is created a Washington state veterinary board of governors consisting of seven members, five of whom shall be licensed veterinarians, one of whom shall be a licensed veterinary technician trained in both large and small animal medicine, and one of whom shall be a lay member.

     (2)(a) 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, or employed as a licensed veterinary technician, as applicable, and must be citizens of the United States. Not more than one licensed veterinary member shall be from the same congressional district. 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.

     (b) 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.

     (c) The lay member shall be appointed by the governor for a five year term and until the lay member's successor is appointed.

     (d) A member may be appointed to serve a second term, if that term does not run consecutively.

     (e) Vacancies in the board shall be filled by the governor, the appointee to hold office for the remainder of the unexpired term.

     (3) The licensed veterinary technician member is a nonvoting member with respect to board decisions related to the discipline of a veterinarian involving standard of care.

     (4) Officers of the board shall be a chair and a secretary-treasurer to be chosen by the members of the board from among its members.

     (5) Four members of the board shall constitute a quorum at meetings of the board.

[2007 c 235 § 3; 1983 c 2 § 2. Prior: 1982 1st ex.s. c 30 § 5; 1982 c 134 § 1; 1979 ex.s. c 31 § 1; 1967 ex.s. c 50 § 2; 1959 c 92 § 3.]

NOTES:

     Severability -- 1983 c 2: See note following RCW 18.71.030.