JKM C.S.S.B. 1514 75(R)BILL ANALYSIS


ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
C.S.S.B. 1514
By: Truan (Flores)
4-24-97
Committee Report (Substituted)



BACKGROUND 

 Currently, the International Relations, Trade and Technology (IRTT)
Committee finds, in its interim study, that Texas' efforts to address the
colonias have been less than efficient. The IRTT Committee recommends that
the legislature establish interagency coordination as a statutory mandate
upon the agencies whose activities affect the colonias, and the
legislature should consider providing funding for agency coordination
activities at the local level and in the central offices of the relevant
agencies. S.B. 1514 would establish a system for coordination among the
agencies with responsibilities regarding colonias. 

PURPOSE

As proposed, S.B. 1514 outlines provisions regarding coordinating colonia
initiatives. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any
additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency or
institution. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Chapter 402B, Government Code, by adding Section
402.029, as follows: 
Sec. 402.029. COORDINATION OF COLONIA INITIATIVES. Defines "agency" and
"colonia." Sets forth state agencies required to designate an officer or
employee of the agency to serve as the agency's coordinator of colonia
initiatives. Sets forth requirements for each agency's and the attorney
general's coordinator of colonia initiatives. Requires representatives of
each state agency listed in Subsection (b) who are assigned to duty at an
office of the agency near the international border of this state and whose
assigned duties include responsibility for some aspect of the agency's
work with colonias or with residents of colonias to meet with each other
according to a schedule established by the representatives to coordinate
colonia initiatives at the local level. Authorizes representatives from
the agencies' offices that serve the same county or counties or
representatives from all of the agencies' offices near the international
border to meet together. 

SECTION 2. Emergency clause. Effective date: upon passage.


COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL TO SUBSTITUTE

SECTION 1.  CSSB 1514, Sec. 402.029, Subsection (a) adds the definition of
"agency" and changes the definition of "colonia" so that it is not limited
to a location within 150 miles of the international  border.  CSSB 1514
adds the University of Texas Pan-American to the list of agencies that
will be included in the coordination of colonia initiatives.