SRC-JRN S.B. 1041 75(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center S.B. 1041 By: Truan International Relations, Trade & Technology 4-28-97 As Filed DIGEST 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.