AN ACT 1-1 relating to the creation, powers, and duties of the International 1-2 Trade Task Force and the promotion and development of international 1-3 trade. 1-4 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: 1-5 SECTION 1. Subchapter D, Chapter 481, Government Code, is 1-6 amended by adding Sections 481.062 and 481.063 to read as follows: 1-7 Sec. 481.062. INTERNATIONAL TRADE TASK FORCE. (a) The 1-8 International Trade Task Force is created in the department to 1-9 advise and assist the department in promoting and developing 1-10 international trade. 1-11 (b) The task force is composed of: 1-12 (1) a representative of the governor's office, 1-13 appointed by the governor; 1-14 (2) a representative of the secretary of state's 1-15 office, appointed by the secretary of state; 1-16 (3) a representative of the Texas Education Agency, 1-17 appointed by the commissioner of education; 1-18 (4) a representative of the Texas Higher Education 1-19 Coordinating Board, appointed by the commissioner of education; 1-20 (5) the executive director of the department; 1-21 (6) a state representative, appointed by the speaker 1-22 of the house of representatives; 1-23 (7) a state senator, appointed by the lieutenant 2-1 governor; 2-2 (8) four representatives of a community development 2-3 board, appointed by the department; 2-4 (9) three members who are chairpersons of a district 2-5 export council, appointed by the department; 2-6 (10) four members who are directors of an 2-7 International Trade Center - Small Business Development Center 2-8 regional office in the state, appointed by the department; and 2-9 (11) nine representatives of the public with 2-10 significant international experience, five of whom are appointed by 2-11 the governor, two of whom are appointed by the speaker of the house 2-12 of representatives, and two of whom are appointed by the lieutenant 2-13 governor. 2-14 (c) The membership of the task force must reflect the ethnic 2-15 and geographical diversity of this state. In making the 2-16 appointments under Subsections (a)(8) and (10), the department 2-17 shall appoint members who come from different geographic regions of 2-18 this state. 2-19 (d) International experience for purposes of making an 2-20 appointment under Subsection (a)(11) includes international 2-21 experience in trade, direct investment, finance, transportation, 2-22 services, or intellectual property. 2-23 (e) The executive director of the department shall serve as 2-24 the presiding officer. 2-25 (f) The task force shall meet monthly at the call of the 3-1 presiding officer or more frequently if the members of the task 3-2 force consider it necessary. 3-3 (g) Article 6252-33, Revised Statutes, other than Section 3-4 2(a) of that article, applies to the task force. 3-5 Sec. 481.063. STRATEGIC PLAN FOR INTERNATIONAL TRADE. 3-6 (a) In addition to the duties prescribed by Section 481.062, the 3-7 task force shall develop a strategic plan to promote and develop 3-8 international trade. The plan must include state goals for export 3-9 of goods and services, the attraction of foreign investment, and 3-10 increased foreign representation. 3-11 (b) In developing the plan, the task force shall: 3-12 (1) address funding for international trade, foreign 3-13 representation, infrastructure, business services relating to 3-14 international trade, and the operations and administration of the 3-15 department; 3-16 (2) develop informational, educational, referral, 3-17 training, and related support services for businesses in this state 3-18 that want to engage in international trade activities; 3-19 (3) identify strategies to promote the trade 3-20 development of this state; and 3-21 (4) develop informational and technical assistance on 3-22 export opportunities and techniques for use by businesses domiciled 3-23 in this state. 3-24 (c) Not later than September 1, 1998, the task force shall 3-25 complete the plan required by Subsection (a) and submit the plan to 4-1 the department. 4-2 (d) Not later than February 1, 1999, the department shall 4-3 adopt a strategic plan to promote and develop international trade 4-4 in this state. In adopting the plan, the department shall consider 4-5 the plan submitted by the task force under Subsection (c). 4-6 (e) This section expires December 1, 2000. 4-7 SECTION 2. If the duties of the Texas Department of Commerce 4-8 relating to the promotion and development of international trade in 4-9 this state are transferred to another state agency or other entity, 4-10 each reference in Sections 481.062 and 481.063, Government Code, as 4-11 added by this Act, to the Texas Department of Commerce is a 4-12 reference to the state agency or other entity to which the duties 4-13 are transferred. 4-14 SECTION 3. Not later than September 1, 2000, the Texas 4-15 Department of Commerce shall submit to the legislature a written 4-16 report on the effectiveness of the plan adopted by the department 4-17 as required by Subsection (d), Section 481.063, Government Code, as 4-18 added by this Act. 4-19 SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 1997. 4-20 SECTION 5. The importance of this legislation and the 4-21 crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an 4-22 emergency and an imperative public necessity that the 4-23 constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several 4-24 days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended. _______________________________ _______________________________ President of the Senate Speaker of the House I hereby certify that S.B. No. 1041 passed the Senate on May 5, 1997, by a viva-voce vote. _______________________________ Secretary of the Senate I hereby certify that S.B. No. 1041 passed the House on May 21, 1997, by a non-record vote. _______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House Approved: _______________________________ Date _______________________________ Governor