By: Alonzo H.B. No. 2495 73R6540 MJW-D A BILL TO BE ENTITLED 1-1 AN ACT 1-2 relating to creation of the Bureau of Hispanic Affairs. 1-3 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: 1-4 SECTION 1. Subtitle E, Title 4, Government Code, is amended 1-5 by adding Chapter 466 to read as follows: 1-6 CHAPTER 466. BUREAU OF HISPANIC AFFAIRS 1-7 Sec. 466.001. DEFINITION. In this chapter, "bureau" means 1-8 the Bureau of Hispanic Affairs. 1-9 Sec. 466.002. BUREAU; MEMBERS; SUNSET ACT. (a) The Bureau 1-10 of Hispanic Affairs is an agency of the state. 1-11 (b) The bureau is composed of 18 members appointed by the 1-12 governor with the advice and consent of the senate. 1-13 (c) Members serve for staggered terms of six years, with the 1-14 terms of one-third of the members expiring February 1 of each 1-15 odd-numbered year. 1-16 (d) A member of the bureau must be a citizen of the state 1-17 who has demonstrated an interest in preserving the cultural 1-18 heritage of the Hispanic citizens of this state and in advancing 1-19 educational and employment opportunities and political rights for 1-20 Hispanic citizens. 1-21 (e) The bureau shall hold at least one regular meeting in 1-22 each calendar quarter of each year. 1-23 (f) At its first meeting in each odd-numbered year, the 1-24 bureau shall select from its membership a presiding officer. 2-1 (g) The bureau is subject to Chapter 325 (Texas Sunset Act). 2-2 Unless continued in existence as provided by that chapter, the 2-3 bureau is abolished and this chapter expires September 1, 2005. 2-4 Sec. 466.003. PERSONNEL. (a) The bureau shall employ an 2-5 executive director. 2-6 (b) The executive director may employ personnel necessary to 2-7 implement this chapter. 2-8 Sec. 466.004. GENERAL POWERS AND DUTIES OF BUREAU. The 2-9 bureau shall: 2-10 (1) promote the cultural heritage of Hispanic citizens 2-11 of the state; 2-12 (2) develop programs that address issues of particular 2-13 interest and importance to Hispanic citizens, including programs 2-14 relating to: 2-15 (A) educational issues; 2-16 (B) employment opportunities; 2-17 (C) access to social services; 2-18 (D) family issues; 2-19 (E) political rights and access; and 2-20 (F) immigration rights; and 2-21 (3) report to the governor, lieutenant governor, and 2-22 speaker of the house of representatives not later than September 1 2-23 of each even-numbered year on legislative issues of importance to 2-24 Hispanic citizens. 2-25 SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 1993. 2-26 SECTION 3. The importance of this legislation and the 2-27 crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an 3-1 emergency and an imperative public necessity that the 3-2 constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several 3-3 days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended.