BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

Senate Research Center                                                                                                      S.B. 1139

                                                                                                                                            By: Uresti

                                                                                                         International Relations & Trade

                                                                                                                                            4/12/2007

                                                                                                                                              As Filed

 

 

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

 

Texas has experienced a large influx of immigrants over the past 15 years.  Along with the large number of legal immigrants, there are also many undocumented immigrants, often from Latin America.  Some of the root causes of this immigration are the lack of jobs, education, and business opportunities in the immigrant home countries.

 

As proposed, S.B. 1139 establishes a joint interim study to look at programs that can contribute to increased economic prosperity in the home countries of immigrants.  This bill provides that the study will examine opportunities to encourage business and economic development, both in Texas communities that receive immigrants and in the countries and states from which they come, as a way of stemming the tide of undocumented immigration and ensuring prosperity in our local communities

 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

 

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

 

SECTION 1.  (a)  Requires the Senate Committee on International Relations and Trade, the House Committee on Border and International Affairs, and the House Committee on Financial Institutions to conduct a joint interim study (study) to investigate:

 

(1)  current programs operating in Texas or in other parts of the United States that provide opportunities for immigrants to voluntarily invest in development efforts in their home states or countries or offer exchange programs between teachers, medical professionals, business people, or local government officials from the United States and professionals in Mexico or other Latin American countries;

 

(2) possible new programs that would provide opportunities for immigrants to voluntarily invest in development efforts in their home states or countries or offer exchange programs between teachers, medical professionals, business people, or local government officials from the United States and professionals in Mexico or other Latin American countries; and

 

(3) the viability of programs described by Subdivisions (1) and (2) of this subsection and the capacity of the State of Texas to facilitate such programs.

 

(b)  Requires these committees to report the results of the study conducted under Subsection (a) of this section, together with recommendations for statutory changes, to certain persons on or before September 1, 2008.

 

SECTION 2.  Provides that this Act expires October 1, 2008.

 

SECTION 3.  Effective date: September 1, 2007.