79R2995 DWS-F

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.
	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. Chapter 2110 does not apply to the size, composition, or 
duration of the Advisory Oversight Community Outreach Committee.
	(b)  The governor 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, and mayors, or persons 
designated by mayors, of the major municipalities in the area of the 
border of this state and the United Mexican States.  Members of the 
committee serve for staggered terms of six years, with as near as 
possible to one-third of the members' terms expiring January 1 of 
each even-numbered year. A member serves without compensation for 
service on the committee but is entitled to reimbursement for 
expenses as provided by the General Appropriations Act.
	(c)  The governor shall designate the presiding officer of 
the committee from among the committee's members.  The presiding 
officer serves at the will of the governor.
	(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.
	(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 and 
the concerns expressed by communities affected by the actions of 
department personnel.
	(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.