(a) The Maritime/Marine Industry Council is composed of at least nine persons appointed by the Director of the Texas Transportation Institute with at least the following representation:
(1) one member shall be the President of the Texas Waterway Operators or the president's designated representative;
(2) one member shall be the President of the Texas Ports Association or the president's designated representative;
(3) four members shall be representatives from Texas ports to be selected by the membership of the Texas Ports Association;
(4) three members shall be representatives from the barge industry;
(5) the director of the center shall be an ex officio member;
(6) a representative from the Texas Department of Transportation designated by the Texas Department of Transportation shall be an ex officio member; and
(7) two registered professional engineers having relevant marine experience shall be ex officio members.
(b) The Maritime/Marine Industry Council shall make program priority recommendations to the director and serve as a resource group for the center.