By Alonzo H.B. No. 1996
74R5758 MRB-D
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
1-1 AN ACT
1-2 relating to the 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 468 to read as follows:
1-6 CHAPTER 468. BUREAU OF HISPANIC AFFAIRS
1-7 Sec. 468.001. DEFINITION. In this chapter, "bureau" means
1-8 the Bureau of Hispanic Affairs.
1-9 Sec. 468.002. BUREAU; MEMBERS. (a) The Bureau of Hispanic
1-10 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) In making the appointments, the governor shall appoint
1-14 six of the members from a list of nominees submitted by the Mexican
1-15 American Legislative Caucus of the house of representatives and
1-16 shall appoint six of the members from a list of nominees submitted
1-17 by the Hispanic Caucus of the senate. If necessary to make the
1-18 appointments under this subsection, the governor may request and a
1-19 caucus shall give to the governor additional lists of nominees.
1-20 (d) A member of the bureau must be a resident of this state
1-21 who has demonstrated an interest in preserving the cultural
1-22 heritage of the Hispanic citizens of this state and in advancing
1-23 educational and employment opportunities and political rights for
1-24 Hispanic citizens and must be fluent in the English and Spanish
2-1 languages.
2-2 Sec. 468.003. TERMS. Members serve for staggered terms of
2-3 six years, with the terms of one-third of the members expiring
2-4 February 1 of each odd-numbered year.
2-5 Sec. 468.004. MEETINGS; OFFICERS. (a) The bureau shall
2-6 hold at least one regular meeting in each calendar quarter of each
2-7 year.
2-8 (b) At its first meeting in each odd-numbered year, the
2-9 bureau shall select from its membership a presiding officer and an
2-10 assistant presiding officer.
2-11 Sec. 468.005. EXPENSES. A member of the bureau is entitled
2-12 to reimbursement for expenses incurred for service on the bureau,
2-13 as provided by the General Appropriations Act. A member may not
2-14 receive any compensation for that service.
2-15 Sec. 468.006. SUNSET PROVISION. The bureau is subject to
2-16 Chapter 325 (Texas Sunset Act). Unless continued in existence as
2-17 provided by that chapter, the bureau is abolished and this chapter
2-18 expires September 1, 2007.
2-19 Sec. 468.007. PERSONNEL. (a) The bureau shall employ an
2-20 executive director.
2-21 (b) The executive director may employ personnel necessary to
2-22 implement this chapter.
2-23 Sec. 468.008. DUTIES. The bureau shall:
2-24 (1) promote the cultural heritage of Hispanic citizens
2-25 of the state;
2-26 (2) develop programs that address issues of particular
2-27 interest and importance to Hispanic citizens, including programs
3-1 relating to:
3-2 (A) educational issues;
3-3 (B) employment opportunities;
3-4 (C) access to social services;
3-5 (D) family issues, including issues regarding
3-6 child abuse and family violence;
3-7 (E) political rights and access, including
3-8 voting rights and rights relating to the use of languages;
3-9 (F) immigration rights; and
3-10 (G) administrative law and regulatory issues;
3-11 (3) solicit assistance, in administering the bureau's
3-12 other duties, from private businesses and individuals, community
3-13 groups and organizations, and local, state, and federal agencies;
3-14 (4) report to the governor, lieutenant governor,
3-15 speaker of the house of representatives, Mexican American
3-16 Legislative Caucus of the house of representatives, and Hispanic
3-17 Caucus of the senate not later than September 1 of each
3-18 even-numbered year on legislative issues of importance to Hispanic
3-19 citizens; and
3-20 (5) report periodically to individuals and other
3-21 persons in the state who the bureau considers able to have a
3-22 positive effect on issues of importance to Hispanic citizens.
3-23 Sec. 468.009. GIFTS AND GRANTS. The bureau may accept gifts
3-24 and grants from any source to be used to carry out the bureau's
3-25 duties.
3-26 SECTION 2. In making the initial appointments to the Bureau
3-27 of Hispanic Affairs, the governor shall designate six members for
4-1 terms expiring February 1, 1997, six members for terms expiring
4-2 February 1, 1999, and six members for terms expiring February 1,
4-3 2001.
4-4 SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 1995.
4-5 SECTION 4. The importance of this legislation and the
4-6 crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an
4-7 emergency and an imperative public necessity that the
4-8 constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several
4-9 days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended.