BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

                                                                                                                                             H.B. 297

                                                                                                                                  By: McClendon

                                                                                                                           Government Reform

                                                                                                       Committee Report (Unamended)

 

 

 

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

 

Currently, the title for the person who is second in charge at the Office of the Secretary of State is Assistant Secretary of State (Assistant Secretary).  The Assistant Secretary is regularly required to act in an official capacity for the Secretary of State (Secretary) when the Secretary is engaged in other official duties.  The Secretary serves as senior advisor and liaison to the Governor for Texas Border and Mexican Affairs, and serves as Chief International Protocol Officer for Texas so the responsibility for meeting with foreign dignitaries often falls on the Assistant Secretary.  Some foreign officials think of the term "assistant" as a title of lower rank or the title for an administrative person while the term "deputy" is perceived as more prestigious.  In addition, there is a tendency to make acronyms for names of agencies and titles of high ranking officials.  House Bill 297 changes the title of the Assistant Secretary of State to Deputy Secretary of State.

 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

 

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution. 

 

ANALYSIS

 

House Bill 297 changes the title of the Assistant Secretary of State to Deputy Secretary of State.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE

 

September 1, 2005