(a) A member of the board of directors and the executive director of a regional education service center are each considered to be a local public official for purposes of Chapter 171, Local Government Code. For purposes of that chapter a member of the board of directors and the executive director of a regional education service center are each considered to have a substantial interest in a business entity if a person related to the member or the executive director in the third degree by consanguinity or affinity, as determined under Chapter 573, Government Code, has a substantial interest in the business entity under § 171.002, Local Government Code.
(b) A regional education service center is considered to be a political subdivision for purposes of § 131.903, Local Government Code.

(c) To the extent consistent with this section, if a law described by this section applies to a school district or the board of trustees of a school district, the law applies to a regional education service center and the board of directors and executive director of a regional education service center.