Three members of the Texas Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners (TBVME), as well as its executive director, have resigned, according to a press release.

Roland Lenarduzzi, board president; Dan Craven, board vice president; and Joe Mac King, board secretary; made their announcement at a December board meeting. Nicole Oria, TBVME executive directed, resigned in late November. Rudy Calderon, TBVME general counsel, will be the interim executive director until a replacement is found.

“The selfless contributions these individuals have made to the TBVME and to the veterinary community cannot be understated,” according to a TBVME press release announcing the resignations of the three board members. “Their expertise and commitment to this board will be greatly missed and we are saddened to lose their presence.”

The resignations come on the heels of a report by the Texas Sunset Advisory Commission (TSAC) that was critical of the TBVME, according to DVM360. The TSAC monitors the performance of state agencies and makes recommendations to the legislature.

“The commission found that while the state has a continuing need for regulation of veterinary medicine, the board struggles administratively, cannot ensure fair treatment of licensees and complaints, and has an inconsistent and ineffective approach to monitoring the potential diversion of controlled substances,” Katie James wrote for DVM360. “In addition, its statutes and policies don’t comply with common licensing standards, according to the report.”

The TBVME will continue for 4 years, rather than 12, the TSAC voted. Quarterly reporting will take place while the TSAC’s recommendations are implemented.