SRC-MWN C.S.S.B. 970 77(R)BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research CenterC.S.S.B. 970 77R9749 JMM-FBy: Madla Business & Commerce 3/21/2001 Committee Report (Substituted) DIGEST AND PURPOSE Currently, state law requires that local workforce development board membership reflect the ethnic and geographic diversity of the workforce development area. There is no definition of what "geographic" diversity means within each workforce development area. Additionally, there is no requirement that gender diversity of a workforce development area be reflected in the board's membership. C.S.S.B. 970 defines "geographic diversity" and adds gender to the diversity requirements for membership on local workforce development boards. 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. Amends Section 2308.255(b), Government Code, to require the appointments to reflect the ethnic and gender, rather than geographic, diversity of the workforce development area, and reflect the geographic diversity of the workforce development area by including at least one member from each county in the workforce development area, and ensuring equal representation from each commissioners precinct in the county if the board is in a county with a population of more than one million. SECTION 2. Provides that if the change in law made by this Act conflicts with federal law or would invalidate a waiver granted under federal law, the chief elected officials responsible for appointing the members are not required to comply with the change made by this Act. SECTION 3. (a) Effective date: September 1, 2001. (b) Makes application to a local workforce development board prospective. (c) Requires the chief elected officials responsible for appointing members to a local workforce development board to appoint new members to the board as vacancies occur on the board or as the terms of members serving on the board on or before the effective date of this Act expire. SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE CHANGES SECTION 1. Amends As Filed S.B. 970, Section 2308.255(b), Government Code, as follows: _Adds new proposed criteria regarding geographic diversity of the workforce development area. SECTION 2. Adds new proposed language regarding conflicts with existing federal law. SECTION 3. Renumbered from SECTION 2 in the As Filed version, containing the effective date. Adds new prospective clause and adds new proposed language regarding chief elected officials appointing new members.