By: Haley S.C.R. No. 105 SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 1-1 WHEREAS, Entering into a franchise agreement is one of the 1-2 most common and effective means for developing small businesses; 1-3 and 1-4 WHEREAS, The franchise system is an effective method for 1-5 large businesses which seek to extend their markets; and 1-6 WHEREAS, The changing nature of the national economy has 1-7 altered and will continue to alter franchise relationships; and 1-8 WHEREAS, The North American Free Trade Agreement will open 1-9 the door to cross-border franchise agreements; and 1-10 WHEREAS, The North American Free Trade Agreement will create 1-11 the need to provide protections for both franchisors and 1-12 franchisees; now, therefore, be it 1-13 RESOLVED, That the 73rd Legislature of the State of Texas 1-14 hereby establish the Franchise Agreements Task Force; and, be it 1-15 further 1-16 RESOLVED, That the task force shall explore efficient, fair, 1-17 competitive franchising standards; franchise fee structures; 1-18 trademark use and identification; franchisee territorial rights; 1-19 Mexican and Canadian franchise requirements and their impact on 1-20 Texas franchisees; and anticipated shifts in purchasing commercial 1-21 products and food products due to the impact of the North American 1-22 Free Trade Agreement on Texas/Mexico franchise relationships; and, 1-23 be it further 2-1 RESOLVED, That the task force shall consist of nine members 2-2 with three public members to be appointed by the governor; three 2-3 members to be appointed by the lieutenant governor of whom one 2-4 shall be the chair of the Senate Economic Development Committee, 2-5 one shall be chair of the International Relations, Trade, and 2-6 Technology Committee, and one shall be a member of the senate; and 2-7 three members to be appointed by the speaker of the house of 2-8 representatives of whom one shall be chair of the House Economic 2-9 Development Committee, one shall be chair of the House Business and 2-10 Industry Committee, and one shall be a member of the house; and, be 2-11 it further 2-12 RESOLVED, That the governor shall designate the chair, and 2-13 the task force shall meet at times as determined by the chair; and, 2-14 be it further 2-15 RESOLVED, That the task force is authorized to request the 2-16 assistance, where needed in the discharge of its duties, of all 2-17 state agencies, departments, and offices, and that such agencies, 2-18 departments, and offices shall assist the task force when requested 2-19 to do so; and, be it further 2-20 RESOLVED, That the task force have all other powers and 2-21 duties provided to special committees by the senate and house rules 2-22 of procedure, by Chapter 301, Government Code, and by policies of 2-23 the senate and house committees on administration; and, be it 2-24 further 2-25 RESOLVED, That the task force make a complete report, 3-1 including findings and recommendations and drafts of any 3-2 legislation considered necessary, to the 74th Legislature when it 3-3 convenes in January, 1995.