BILL ANALYSIS


                                                        H.B. 2031
                                            By: Kubiak (West, R.)
                                                    Jurisprudence
                                                          5-26-95
                              Senate Committee Report (Unamended)
BACKGROUND

The importance of the Buffalo Soldiers to Texans of African-American descent has been highlighted recently by the success of
the efforts of a private contractor promoting Buffalo Soldier
Heritage at Fort McKavett, which is an original Buffalo Soldier
fort in western Menard County, and the establishment of a one-year
pilot program in Washington County in 1993.  These programs serve
as the basis for the concept of using Buffalo Soldier Heritage as
an intervention tool for certain children considered to be at-risk.

PURPOSE

As proposed, H.B. 2031 requires the Texas Juvenile Probation
Commission to establish a Buffalo Soldier Heritage pilot program in
Bexar, Dallas, Tarrant, Tom Green and Washington counties.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that rulemaking authority is granted
to the Texas Juvenile Probation Commission under SECTION 2(b)(1) of
this bill.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. PURPOSE.  Sets forth the purpose of this Act relating
to involving elements of government and private industry in the
lives of at-risk children to impact the growth of juvenile crime.

SECTION 2. PILOT PROGRAM.  (a) Requires the Texas Juvenile
Probation Commission (TJPC) to establish a Buffalo Soldier Heritage
pilot program (program) in Bexar, Dallas, Tarrant, Tom Green, and
Washington counties using the Washington County program as a guide
to enable at-risk children develop personal skills. 

     (b) Requires the TJPC in implementing the program to adopt
     rules and establish a timetable to implement the program,
     assist in establishing an advisory council for each county,
     designate a program officer for the county, provide grants to
     a group to establish the program, and contract for curriculum
     development with colleges and universities having experience
     in minority issues.
SECTION 3. DEADLINE.  Requires the TJPC to establish the program
by January 1, 1996.

SECTION 4. REPORT.  Requires the TJPC to submit to the governor and
the 75th and 76th legislatures an initial report concerning the
effectiveness of the program.

SECTION 5. EXPIRATION DATE.  Provides that this Act expires
September 1, 1999.

SECTION 6. Emergency clause.