79R6023 UM-D

By:  Chavez                                                       H.B. No. 2528



A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the appointment of an international protocol officer.             
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Subchapter F, Chapter 401, Government Code, is 
amended by adding Section 401.105 to read as follows:
	Sec. 401.105.  APPOINTMENT OF INTERNATIONAL PROTOCOL 
OFFICER.  (a)  In this section:
		(1)  "Foreign official" includes a foreign elected 
official, foreign royalty, or another foreign dignitary.
		(2)  "Officer" means the chief international protocol 
officer appointed by the governor.
	(b)  The governor shall appoint a state official as the chief 
international protocol officer of this state.
	(c)  The officer represents the governor and this state at 
meetings and events with a foreign official during an official 
visit to the state.
	(d)  The officer shall:                                                 
		(1)  coordinate and facilitate meetings between the 
governor and foreign officials;
		(2)  act as a liaison to visiting foreign officials;                   
		(3)  notify the lieutenant governor, the speaker of the 
house of representatives, the chair of the Senate Committee on 
International Relations and Trade, and the chair of the House 
Committee on Border and International Affairs of scheduled official 
visits by foreign officials; and
		(4)  perform other duties as specified by the governor.                
	(e)  The officer may publicize information and specify 
procedures to assist a foreign official in arranging an official 
visit to this state.
	SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2005.