1-1 AN ACT 1-2 relating to a study and strategic plan concerning the development 1-3 of the apparel industry in the border region. 1-4 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: 1-5 SECTION 1. DEFINITION. In this Act, "border region" means 1-6 the area composed of the counties of Atascosa, Bandera, Bexar, 1-7 Brewster, Brooks, Cameron, Crockett, Culberson, Dimmit, Duval, 1-8 Edwards, El Paso, Frio, Hidalgo, Hudspeth, Jeff Davis, Jim Hogg, 1-9 Jim Wells, Kenedy, Kerr, Kimble, Kinney, Kleberg, La Salle, Live 1-10 Oak, Maverick, McMullen, Medina, Nueces, Pecos, Presidio, Real, 1-11 Reeves, San Patricio, Starr, Sutton, Terrell, Uvalde, Val Verde, 1-12 Webb, Willacy, Zapata, and Zavala. 1-13 SECTION 2. STUDY OF APPAREL INDUSTRY; STRATEGIC PLAN. The 1-14 Texas Department of Economic Development shall conduct a study of 1-15 the apparel industry in the border region for the purpose of 1-16 preparing a strategic plan to promote the development of the 1-17 apparel industry in the border region. As a part of its study, the 1-18 department shall meet with a group of apparel industry leaders and 1-19 representatives of employees working in the apparel industry in 1-20 this state, at least once, to identify segments of the apparel 1-21 industry that can be developed in the border region. The cost of 1-22 the study may not exceed $50,000 and shall be paid from amounts 1-23 appropriated to the department. 1-24 SECTION 3. REPORT. Not later than November 1, 2000, the 2-1 Texas Department of Economic Development shall submit to the 2-2 governor, lieutenant governor, and speaker of the house of 2-3 representatives a written report detailing the strategic plan and 2-4 results of the study required by Section 2 of this Act, including 2-5 any recommendations for legislative action. 2-6 SECTION 4. EFFECTIVE DATE. This Act takes effect September 2-7 1, 1999. 2-8 SECTION 5. EMERGENCY. The importance of this legislation 2-9 and the crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an 2-10 emergency and an imperative public necessity that the 2-11 constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several 2-12 days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended. _______________________________ _______________________________ President of the Senate Speaker of the House I certify that H.B. No. 1517 was passed by the House on April 8, 1999, by a non-record vote. _______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House I certify that H.B. No. 1517 was passed by the Senate on May 26, 1999, by the following vote: Yeas 30, Nays 0. _______________________________ Secretary of the Senate APPROVED: _____________________ Date _____________________ Governor