(a) In this section, "Texas trade association" means a cooperative and voluntarily joined association of business or professional competitors in this state designed to assist its members and its industry or profession in dealing with mutual business or professional problems and in promoting their common interest.
(b) A person may not be a member of the research coordinating board if:
(1) the person is an officer, employee, or paid consultant of a Texas trade association in the field of medicine;
(2) the person's spouse is an officer, manager, or paid consultant of a Texas trade association in the field of medicine; or
(3) the person is a member of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.
(c) A person may not be a member of the research coordinating board if the person is required to register as a lobbyist under Chapter 305, Government Code, because of the person's activities for compensation on behalf of a profession related to the operation of the board.