Enrolled Bill Summary

            House Bill 564 amends the Government Code to require the governor to designate a border commerce coordinator in the governor's office or secretary of state's office. The coordinator serves at the will of the governor, and the secretary of state is eligible for the position. Responsibilities include examining trade issues involving Mexico and Canada and acting as an ombudsman for governments in the Texas-Mexico border region to improve intergovernmental communication and cooperation. In addition, the coordinator is charged to work with federal officials to resolve border transportation issues and streamline border crossings, to explore the sale of excess Texas electric power to Mexico, and to seek increased funding for the North American Development Bank to assist in the financing of water and wastewater facilities.