By: Lucio, Zaffirini, Shapleigh S.B. No. 229
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the Advisory Oversight Community Outreach Committee in
the Department of Public Safety of the State of Texas.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 411, Government Code, is
amended by adding Section 411.0197 to read as follows:
Sec. 411.0197. ADVISORY OVERSIGHT COMMUNITY OUTREACH
COMMITTEE. (a) The commission shall establish an Advisory
Oversight Community Outreach Committee in the department and may
adopt rules for the implementation and operation of the committee.
The committee shall meet at the times and places specified by
commission rule or at the call of the presiding officer or any two
members.
(b) The commission shall appoint the members of the
committee, which must include border crossing bridge owners,
persons serving in the capacity of director of entities governing
ports of entry, community leaders, planning developers, mayors, or
persons designated by mayors, of the major municipalities in the
area of the border of this state and the United Mexican States,
representatives of law enforcement agencies, and representatives
of the general public.
(c) The commission shall designate the presiding officer of
the committee from among the committee's members. The presiding
officer serves at the will of the commission.
(d) The committee shall:
(1) document to the commission trade-related
incidents involving department personnel;
(2) develop recommendations and strategies to improve
community relations, department personnel conduct, and the truck
inspection process at this state's ports of entry; and
(3) act as ombudsman between the department and the
communities located and residents residing in the area of the
border of this state and the United Mexican States and between the
department and the department's personnel.
(e) In determining action to be taken on the information and
recommendations received from the committee, the commission shall
consider the importance of trade with the United Mexican States,
the safety of the traveling public, preservation of the highway
system, applicable federal laws and regulations, and the concerns
expressed by communities.
(f) Not later than January 1 of each odd-numbered year the
commission shall submit to the lieutenant governor, speaker of the
house of representatives, and each other member of the legislature
a report documenting the committee's recommendations and comments,
incident reports received by the committee, and the actions taken
by the commission and department to address those matters.
SECTION 2. 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, 2005.