SRC-TBR S.B. 326 77(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 326
77R3772 ATP-DBy: Lucio
Business & Commerce
3/19/2001
As Filed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

Currently, state agencies that interact with Mexico do not have a
coordinated multi-agency plan to address issues concerning Mexico.  As
proposed, S.B. 326 requires the Texas Department of Economic Development to
coordinate a plan and organize the various state agency initiatives
regarding relations with Mexico. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a
state officer, institution, or agency. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Defines "department" and "initiative unit."

SECTION 2.  (a)  Requires the Texas Department of Economic Development
(department) to appoint to serve on the Texas-Mexico Commerce and
International Relations Initiative Unit (unit) at least one department
representative and one from the staff of each of certain listed agencies. 

(b)  Requires the department to designate one of the members of the
initiative unit to serve as the presiding officer of  the unit. 

(c)  Requires the department, with the assistance of the unit, to
coordinate efforts with each of the agencies represented by the unit to
undertake certain listed responsibilities. 

(d)  Requires the Texas-Mexico Commerce and International Relations
Coordinated Plan (plan) to include recommendations on what the state can do
increase and improve trade and tourism with Mexico and adjacent states and
address important trade problems between Texas and Mexico. 

(e)  Requires each agency represented by the unit to submit quarterly
reports to the department regarding the actions taken by the agency on
behalf of the unit or in furtherance of a plan or recommendation of the
unit, including certain listed items. 

(f)  Requires the department to form a partnership with the agencies
represented by the  unit to ensure that the Texas Business and Community
Economic Development Clearinghouse has current knowledge of the plan and
the actions taken by the unit and the agencies represented by the unit. 

(g)  Provides that Chapter 2110 (State Agency Advisory Committees),
Government Code, does not apply to the unit. 

SECTION 3.  Requires the department, not later than September 1, 2002, to
submit to the governor, lieutenant governor, and speaker of the house of
representatives a detailed report of the plan and the  results of its
study, accompanied by recommended solutions to any problems identified by
the unit and recommendations for legislative action. 

SECTION 4.  Provides that this Act expires November 1, 2002.

SECTION 5. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2001.