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H.B. No. 649
AN ACT
relating to creating an interagency work group on rural issues.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 487.054(a), Government Code, is amended
to read as follows:
(a) At least once each year, the following agency heads or
their designees shall meet in Austin to discuss rural issues and to
provide information showing the impact each agency has on rural
communities for use in developing rural policy and compiling the
annual report under Section 487.051(4):
(1) the commissioner of agriculture;
(2) the executive director of the Public Utility
Commission of Texas;
(3) the director of the Texas Agricultural Extension
Service;
(4) the presiding officer of the Telecommunications
Infrastructure Fund Board;
(5) the executive director of the Texas Department of
Housing and Community Affairs;
(6) the commissioner of health;
(7) the executive administrator of the Texas Water
Development Board;
(8) the executive director of the Parks and Wildlife
Department;
(9) the commissioner of human services;
(10) the commissioner of higher education;
(11) the comptroller; [and]
(12) the executive director of the Texas Department of
Transportation;
(13) the presiding officer of the Texas Aerospace
Commission;
(14) the executive director of the Texas Commission on
Environmental Quality;
(15) the executive director of the Texas Department of
Economic Development;
(16) the commissioner of insurance;
(17) the commissioner of mental health and mental
retardation;
(18) the commissioner of education;
(19) the commissioner of health and human services;
(20) the executive director of the Texas Workforce
Commission;
(21) the executive director of the Texas Historical
Commission;
(22) a member of the Railroad Commission of Texas;
(23) the executive director of the State Soil and
Water Conservation Board;
(24) the executive director of the office; and
(25) the head of any other agency interested in rural
issues.
SECTION 2. Subchapter C, Chapter 487, Government Code, is
amended by adding Section 487.0541 to read as follows:
Sec. 487.0541. INTERAGENCY WORK GROUP. (a) An interagency
work group is created to:
(1) develop a process to allow agencies to work
together on issues that face rural communities;
(2) discuss and coordinate programs and services
offered to rural communities and residents of rural communities;
and
(3) develop regulatory and legislative
recommendations that would eliminate duplication and combine
program services.
(b) The work group is composed of a representative from each
agency listed in or participating under Section 487.054(a)
appointed by the executive head of the agency.
(c) The work group shall meet at the call of the executive
director of the office.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2003.
______________________________ ______________________________
President of the Senate Speaker of the House
I certify that H.B. No. 649 was passed by the House on May 5,
2003, by a non-record vote.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House
I certify that H.B. No. 649 was passed by the Senate on May
28, 2003, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0.
______________________________
Secretary of the Senate
APPROVED: _____________________
Date
_____________________
Governor