78R2623 MXM-D

By:  Chavez                                                       H.B. No. 1651



A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to creating the position of Native American liaison.                 
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Chapter 405, Government Code, is amended by 
adding Subchapter D to read as follows:

SUBCHAPTER D.  NATIVE AMERICAN LIAISON
	Sec. 405.151.  DEFINITIONS.  In this chapter, "liaison" 
means the Native American liaison.
	Sec. 405.152.  APPOINTMENT.  (a)  The governor shall appoint 
a liaison to serve within the office of the secretary of state.  The 
individual appointed must meet the eligibility requirements of 
Section 405.153 and be selected from  names submitted by the 
legislature, federally recognized Native American tribes, or other 
interested persons.
	(b)  The governor shall make every effort to appoint an 
individual of Native American descent as liaison.
	Sec. 405.153.  ELIGIBILITY FOR APPOINTMENT.  To be eligible 
for appointment under Section 405.152, the individual must be:
		(1)  knowledgeable about the Native American tribes of 
this state and the opportunities and challenges facing the tribes; 
and
		(2)  experienced in working with Native Americans.                     
	Sec. 405.154.  TERM.  The liaison serves at the will of the 
governor. 
	Sec. 405.155.  TOLL-FREE TELEPHONE NUMBER.  The secretary of 
state shall provide a toll-free telephone number for use by the 
public in contacting the liaison.
	Sec. 405.156.  WEBSITE.  The secretary of state shall 
provide on its Internet website information regarding the liaison, 
including the liaison's name, mailing address, facsimile number, 
telephone number, and electronic mail address.
	Sec. 405.157.  PUBLIC RELATIONS.  (a)  The liaison shall 
assist the Native American community of this state in establishing 
and maintaining mutual understanding and cooperation with this 
state, the federal government, local governments, and other 
entities that affect the community.  The liaison shall improve 
government relations on all levels within a framework of 
sovereignty.
	(b)  The liaison shall assist the Native American tribes of 
this state in gaining federal recognition.
	(c)  The liaison shall make efforts to increase awareness and 
concern for Native American issues.
	Sec. 405.158.  IDENTIFICATION OF SERVICES AND OTHER 
RESOURCES.  (a)  The liaison shall identify public and private 
resources available to Native Americans in this state and develop 
recommendations and strategies to maximize the acquisition and use 
of those resources.
	(b)  The liaison shall make efforts to facilitate the 
coordination of state agency services for Native Americans in this 
state.
	Sec. 405.159.  RESEARCH REQUIRED.   (a)  The liaison shall 
study the living conditions, employment, health, education, 
financial status, recreation, social adjustment, and other 
conditions affecting the welfare and culture of Native Americans in 
this state.
	(b)  The liaison shall collect statistics and other facts 
necessary to develop an accurate understanding of the Native 
American community in this state.
	Sec. 405.160.  BIENNIAL REPORT.  Not later than November 1 of 
each even-numbered year, the liaison shall prepare and submit to 
the governor, the lieutenant governor, and the speaker of the house 
of representatives a report with recommendations regarding Native 
American issues.
	SECTION 2.  Not later than November 1, 2003, the governor 
shall appoint the Native American liaison under Section 405.152, 
Government Code, as added by this Act.
	SECTION 3.  (a)  The Native American liaison appointed under 
Section 405.152, Government Code, as added by this Act, shall 
develop recommendations for the 79th Legislature regarding the 
feasibility and benefits of establishing a state recognition 
program for the Native American tribes of this state.
	(b)  Not later than November 1, 2004, the liaison shall 
provide the first biennial recommendations under Section 405.160, 
Government Code, as added by this Act, to the governor, the 
lieutenant governor, and the speaker of the house of 
representatives.
	SECTION 4.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives 
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as 
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this 
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this 
Act takes effect September 1, 2003.