SCT S.B. 1041 75(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


STATE FEDERAL & INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
S.B. 1041
By: Truan (Hunter)
5-13-97
Committee Report (Unamended)


BACKGROUND

Currently, no state law provides for the creation, powers, and duties of
the International Trade Task Force and the promotion and development of
international trade.  The international business climate has changed with
the advent of trading blocks being established as a result of NAFTA and
the coalescence of the European Community.  This bill provides for the
creation, powers, and duties of the International Trade Task Force and the
promotion and development of international trade. 

PURPOSE

As proposed, S.B. 1041 provides for the creation, powers, and duties of
the International Trade Task Force and the promotion and development of
international trade. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, institution, or agency. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Chapter 481D, Government Code, by adding Sections
481.062 and 481.063, as follows: 

Sec. 481.062. INTERNATIONAL TRADE TASK FORCE.  Provides that the
International Trade Task Force is created in the Texas Department of
Commerce (department) to advise and assist the department in promoting and
developing international trade.  Sets forth the composition of the task
force.  Requires the membership of the task force to reflect the ethnic
and geographical diversity of this state.  Requires the department to
appoint members who come from different geographic regions of the state in
making the appointments under Subsections (a)(8) and (10).  Provides that
international experience includes trade, direct investment, finance,
transportation, services or intellectual property experience
internationally for the purposes of making an appointment under Subsection
(a)(11). Requires the executive director of the department to serve as the
presiding officer.  Requires the task force to meet monthly at the call of
the presiding officer or more frequently if the  members of the task force
consider it necessary.  Provides that Article 6252-33, V.T.C.S., other
than Section 2(a) of that article, applies to the task force. 

Sec. 481.063. STRATEGIC PLAN FOR INTERNATIONAL TRADE.  Requires the task
force to develop a strategic plan to promote and develop international
trade, in addition to duties prescribed by Section 481.062.  Requires the
plan to include state goals for export of goods and services, the
attraction of foreign investment, and increased foreign representation.
Sets forth requirements to be met by the task force in developing the
plan.  Requires the task force to complete and submit the plan required by
Subsection (a) to the department by September 1, 1998.  Requires the
department to adopt a strategic plan to promote and develop international
trade in this state by February 1, 1999.  Requires the department to
consider the plan submitted by the task force under Subsection (c), in
adopting the plan. Provides that this section expires December 1, 2000. 

SECTION 2. Provides that each reference in Sections 481.062 and 481.063,
Government Code, as added by this Act, to the Texas Department of Commerce
is a reference to the state agency or other entity to which the duties are
transferred. 

SECTION 3. Requires the Texas Department of Commerce to submit to the
legislature a written report on the effectiveness of the plan adopted by
the department as required by Section 481.063(d), Government Code, not
later than September 1, 2000. 

SECTION 4. Effective date: September 1, 1997.

SECTION 5. Emergency clause.