By Truan S.B. No. 1041
75R1128 CLG-D
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
1-1 AN ACT
1-2 relating to the creation, powers, and duties of the International
1-3 Trade Task Force and the promotion and development of international
1-4 trade.
1-5 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
1-6 SECTION 1. Subchapter D, Chapter 481, Government Code, is
1-7 amended by adding Sections 481.062 and 481.063 to read as follows:
1-8 Sec. 481.062. INTERNATIONAL TRADE TASK FORCE. (a) The
1-9 International Trade Task Force is created in the department to
1-10 advise and assist the department in promoting and developing
1-11 international trade.
1-12 (b) The task force is composed of:
1-13 (1) a representative of the governor's office,
1-14 appointed by the governor;
1-15 (2) a representative of the secretary of state's
1-16 office, appointed by the secretary of state;
1-17 (3) a representative of the Texas Education Agency,
1-18 appointed by the commissioner of education;
1-19 (4) a representative of the Texas Higher Education
1-20 Coordinating Board, appointed by the commissioner of education;
1-21 (5) the executive director of the department;
1-22 (6) a state representative, appointed by the speaker
1-23 of the house of representatives;
1-24 (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
2-26 presiding officer or more frequently if the members of the task
2-27 force consider it necessary.
3-1 (g) Article 6252-33, Revised Statutes, other than Section
3-2 2(a) of that article, applies to the task force.
3-3 Sec. 481.063. STRATEGIC PLAN FOR INTERNATIONAL TRADE. (a)
3-4 In addition to the duties prescribed by Section 481.062, the task
3-5 force shall develop a strategic plan to promote and develop
3-6 international trade. The plan must include state goals for export
3-7 of goods and services, the attraction of foreign investment, and
3-8 increased foreign representation.
3-9 (b) In developing the plan, the task force shall:
3-10 (1) address funding for international trade, foreign
3-11 representation, infrastructure, business services relating to
3-12 international trade, and the operations and administration of the
3-13 department;
3-14 (2) develop informational, educational, referral,
3-15 training, and related support services for businesses in this state
3-16 that want to engage in international trade activities;
3-17 (3) identify strategies to promote the trade
3-18 development of this state; and
3-19 (4) develop informational and technical assistance on
3-20 export opportunities and techniques for use by businesses domiciled
3-21 in this state.
3-22 (c) Not later than September 1, 1998, the task force shall
3-23 complete the plan required by Subsection (a) and submit the plan to
3-24 the department.
3-25 (d) Not later than February 1, 1999, the department shall
3-26 adopt a strategic plan to promote and develop international trade
3-27 in this state. In adopting the plan, the department shall consider
4-1 the plan submitted by the task force under Subsection (c).
4-2 (e) This section expires December 1, 2000.
4-3 SECTION 2. If the duties of the Texas Department of Commerce
4-4 relating to the promotion and development of international trade in
4-5 this state are transferred to another state agency or other entity,
4-6 each reference in Sections 481.062 and 481.063, Government Code, as
4-7 added by this Act, to the Texas Department of Commerce is a
4-8 reference to the state agency or other entity to which the duties
4-9 are transferred.
4-10 SECTION 3. Not later than September 1, 2000, the Texas
4-11 Department of Commerce shall submit to the legislature a written
4-12 report on the effectiveness of the plan adopted by the department
4-13 as required by Section 481.063(d), Government Code, as added by
4-14 this Act.
4-15 SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 1997.
4-16 SECTION 5. The importance of this legislation and the
4-17 crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an
4-18 emergency and an imperative public necessity that the
4-19 constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several
4-20 days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended.