HBA-DMD H.B. 564 76(R)BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 564
By: Oliveira
State, Federal, & International Relations
3/24/1999
Committee Report (Amended)



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Currently, Mexico is Texas's leading trading partner. Additionally, the two
countries have certain mutual interests such as agriculture,
transportation, commerce, and public health.  H.B. 564 creates a border
advocacy division in the governor's office to examine North American Free
Trade Agreement related issues and other issues of common concerns to Texas
and Mexico. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does
not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, department, agency, or institution. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Chapter 772, Government Code, by adding Section 772.010,
as follows: 

Sec. 772.010.  BORDER ADVOCACY DIVISION.  (a)  Requires the governor to
create a border advocacy division (division) in the governor's office that
will do the following: 

(1) examine trade issues between the United States, Mexico, and Canada; 
(2) act as an ombudsman to reduce regulations for government agencies
within the Texas and Mexico border region by improving communication and
cooperation between federal, state, and local governments;  
(3) work with federal officials on transportation issues involving
infrastructure, including roads and bridges, to resolve transportation
issues in order to allow for efficient movement of goods and people across
the border between Texas and Mexico; 
(4) create a unified federal agency process to streamline border crossing
needs by working jointly with federal officials;  
(5) assist in the financing of water and wastewater facilities by
increasing funds to the North American Development Bank; and  
(6) explore the sale of excess electric power from Texas to Mexico.  

(b)  Requires the governor to appoint a director for the division to serve
at the will of the governor and authorizes the governor to appoint the
secretary of state as the director.  

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

EXPLANATION OF AMENDMENTS

Amendment #1

SECTION 1.  Amends Chapter 772, Government Code, by adding Section 772.010,
as follows: 

Sec. 772.010.  BORDER ADVOCACY DIVISION.  (a)  Requires the governor to
create a border advocacy division (division) in the governor's office or
the office of the secretary of state as determined by the governor.
Specifies duties of the division. 

 (b)  Requires the governor to appoint a director for the division to serve
at the will of the governor in the governor's office or in the office of
the secretary of state and authorizes the governor to appoint the secretary
of state as the director.  

SECTION 2.  Requires funds appropriated by the 76th Legislature to the
governor's office for the purpose of implementing Section 772.010,
Government Code, as added by this Act, to be transferred to the secretary
of state's office if the division is established in the secretary of
state's office. 

SECTION 3.Emergency clause.
  Effective date: upon passage.