SRC-TNM S.B. 1514 75(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center S.B. 1514 By: Truan International Relations, Trade & Technology 3-24-97 As Filed DIGEST 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 This bill does not grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. 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 "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.