BILL ANALYSIS
By: Lucio
Border and International Affairs
Committee Report (Unamended)
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
In 1999, the 76th Legislature passed Senate Bill 1421 to improve the coordination of colonia initiatives among the several state agencies involved in issues affecting colonias. The bill allowed the governor to designate an agency to act as the State's colonia initiatives coordinator (coordinator) and currently the Office of the Secretary of State serves as the coordinator. The coordinator is required to coordinate colonia initiatives within the agency and with other agencies and local officials involved in colonia projects in the state.
Senate Bill 1202 expands the list of agencies involved with colonia initiatives and requires the colonia initiatives coordinator to work with those agencies on colonia projects.
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
SECTION 1 Amends Section 775.002(c), Government Code, to require the colonia initiatives coordinator (coordinator) to work with other agencies and local officials involved in colonia projects in the state to take certain actions relating to colonias.
Amends Section 775.002(d), Government Code, to require certain state agencies to designate an officer or employee of the agency to serve as the agency's liaison for colonia initiatives. The list is amended to reflect recent agency name changes such as with the Department of State Health Services and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. The Office of Rural Community Affairs, the Office of State-Federal Relations, the Texas Department of Insurance, and the Texas Department of Transportation are added to the list of agencies required to have an officer or employee serve as the agency's liaison for colonia initiatives.
Requires the coordinator to consider the advice and recommendations of the colonia resident advisory committee established under Section 2306.584, Government Code.
SECTION 2 Amends Chapter 775, Government Code, by adding Section 775.004 to require the coordinator to work with the colonia resident advisory committee to improve the services delivered to colonia residents. Authorizes the coordinator to establish an advisory committee similar to the colonia resident advisory committee to supplement the efforts of the colonia resident advisory committee by providing representation for colonia residents in counties that are not represented by a member of the colonia resident advisory committee. Requires the coordinator to consider the advice of the colonia resident advisory committee and any other committee established under Subsection 775.004(b), Government Code, regarding the needs of colonia residents.
Requires the coordinator, based on the advice received under Subsection 775.004(c), Government Code, and any recommendations received from the agencies listed in Section 775.002(d), Government Code, 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, Government Code.
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, a long-range plan, and recommendations.
SECTION 5 The bill takes effect immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all members elected to each house. Otherwise, the bill takes effect September 1, 2005.
EFFECTIVE DATE
The bill takes effect immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all members elected to each house. Otherwise, the bill takes effect September 1, 2005.