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.