BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center                                                                                                      S.B. 1202

                                                                                                                                            By: Lucio

International Relations & Trade

7/14/2005

Enrolled

AUTHOR'S/SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

In 1999, through the passage of S.B. 1421, the 76th Legislature established the "Interagency Coordination of Colonia Initiatives" under Chapter 775, Government Code.  After the passage of S.B. 1421, the  governor appointed the Office of the Secretary of State to be the colonia initiatives coordinator.  Chapter 775 requires the colonia initiatives coordinator to coordinate colonia initiatives within the agency and with other agencies and local officials involved in colonia projects in this state.   

S.B. 1202 expands the list of agencies involved with colonia initiatives and requires, rather than authorizes, the colonia initiatives coordinator to work with those agencies on colonia projects.

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 775.002, Government Code, by amending Subsections (c) and (d) and adding Subsection (f), as follows:

(c)  Requires, rather than authorizes, the colonia initiatives coordinator (coordinator), working with other agencies and local officials involved in colonia projects in the state, to take certain actions relating to colonias.

(d)  Requires certain state agencies to designate an officer or employee of the agency to serve as the agency's liaison for colonia initiatives.  Adds the Office of Rural Community Affairs; the Office of State-Federal Relations; the Texas Department of Insurance; and the Texas Department of Transportation to the list of agencies to make said designation.

(f)  Requires the coordinator, in coordinating initiatives, to consider the advice and recommendations of the Colonia Resident Advisory Committee (committee) established under Section 2306.584 (Colonia Resident Advisory Committee).

SECTION 2.  Amends Chapter 775, Government Code, by adding Section 775.004, as follows:

Sec.  775.004.  DEVELOPMENT OF STRATEGY TO ASSIST COLONIA RESIDENTS.  (a)  Requires the coordinator, to improve services delivered to colonia residents, to work with the committee established under Section 2306.584.

(b)  Authorizes the coordinator to establish an advisory committee similar to the committee to supplement the efforts of the committee by providing representation for colonia residents in counties that are not represented by a member of the committee.

(c)  Requires the coordinator to consider the advice of the committee and any other committee established under Subsection (b) regarding the needs of colonia residents.

(d)  Requires the coordinator, based on the advice received under Subsection (c) and any recommendations received from the agencies listed in Section 775.002(d), to define and develop a strategy to address the needs of colonia residents and make recommendations to the legislature based on that strategy.  Requires the coordinator to recommend appropriate programs, grants, and activities to the legislature.

SECTION 3.  Amends  Section 2306.585, Government Code, by adding Subsection (c), to require the advisory committee to advise the coordinator as provided by Section 775.004.

SECTION 4.  Requires the coordinator, not later than December 1, 2006, to submit a report to  specific elected officials.  Requires the report to include certain documentation, long-range plans, and recommendations.

SECTION 5.  Effective date:  upon passage or September 1, 2005.