S.B. No. 1686




AN ACT
relating to the interagency work group on rural issues. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Section 487.054, Government Code, is amended by amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsection (c) to read as follows: (a) At least once each year, the following agency heads or their designees shall meet in Austin to discuss rural issues and to provide information showing the impact each agency has on rural communities for use in developing rural policy and compiling the annual report under Section 487.051(4): (1) the commissioner of agriculture; (2) the executive director of the Public Utility Commission of Texas; (3) the director of the Texas Agricultural Extension Service; (4) the presiding officer of the Telecommunications Infrastructure Fund Board; (5) the executive director of the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs; (6) the commissioner of the Department of State Health Services [health]; (7) the executive administrator of the Texas Water Development Board; (8) the executive director of the Parks and Wildlife Department; (9) [the commissioner of human services; [(10)] the commissioner of higher education; (10) [(11)] the comptroller; (11) [(12)] the executive director of the Texas Department of Transportation; (12) [(13) the presiding officer of the Texas Aerospace Commission; [(14)] the executive director of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality; (13) [(15)] the executive director of the Texas [Department of] Economic Development and Tourism Office; (14) [(16)] the commissioner of insurance; (15) [(17)] the commissioner of the Department of Aging and Disability Services [mental health and mental retardation]; (16) [(18)] the commissioner of education; (17) [(19)] the executive commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission [health and human services]; (18) [(20)] the executive director of the Texas Workforce Commission; (19) [(21)] the executive director of the Texas Historical Commission; (20) [(22)] a member of the Railroad Commission of Texas; (21) [(23)] the executive director of the State Soil and Water Conservation Board; (22) [(24)] the executive director of the office; and (23) [(25)] the head of any other agency interested in rural issues. (c) In addition to the individuals identified by Subsection (a), the governor shall designate a representative from the entity that provides mediation services to the state under 7 U.S.C. Section 5102 to attend meetings held under this section. SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2005.
______________________________ ______________________________ President of the Senate Speaker of the House
I hereby certify that S.B. No. 1686 passed the Senate on April 28, 2005, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0. ______________________________ Secretary of the Senate I hereby certify that S.B. No. 1686 passed the House on May 25, 2005, by a non-record vote. ______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House Approved: ______________________________ Date ______________________________ Governor