80R5566 HLT-F

By: Olivo H.B. No. 1879

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to a citizen trade policy commission and an office of trade development.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Subtitle F, Title 4, Government Code, is amended by adding Chapters 482 and 483 to read as follows: CHAPTER 482. CITIZEN TRADE POLICY COMMISSION SUBCHAPTER A. GENERAL PROVISIONS

Sec. 482.001. DEFINITIONS. In this chapter:

(1) "Commission" means the Citizen Trade Policy Commission established under this chapter.

(2) "Trade agreement" means any agreement between the United States and another country or international political entity that proposes to regulate trade among the parties to the agreement. [Sections 482.002-482.050 reserved for expansion] SUBCHAPTER B. ESTABLISHMENT OF COMMISSION

Sec. 482.051. COMPOSITION OF COMMISSION. The commission is an advisory body composed of:

(1) three members of the senate appointed by the lieutenant governor;

(2) three members of the house of representatives appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives;

(3) the attorney general or a person designated by the attorney general;

(4) the following persons appointed by the governor:

(A) an owner of a small business;

(B) an owner of a small farm;

(C) an academic or other professional with expertise in international trade; and

(D) a representative of a corporation based in this state that is active in international trade;

(5) the following persons appointed by the lieutenant governor:

(A) a health care professional;

(B) a person who is active in the religious community; and

(C) a representative of the Texas Municipal League; and

(6) the following persons appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives:

(A) a person who is active in the organized labor community;

(B) a member of a nonprofit human rights organization; and

(C) a member of a nonprofit environmental organization.

Sec. 482.052. TERMS. (a) A member of the commission appointed under Section 482.051(4), (5), or (6) serves a three-year term. A member of the commission appointed under Section 482.051(1) or (2) and the attorney general serve for the term of the member's elected office. If the attorney general designates a person to serve on the commission, that person serves for the term of office of the attorney general.

(b) An appointed member of the commission may not serve more than two terms on the commission.

(c) A member may continue to serve on the commission until the member's replacement is appointed.

Sec. 482.053. VACANCY. The appointing authority that originally appoints a person to the commission under Section 482.051 shall fill a vacancy in the position on the commission held by that person.

Sec. 482.054. PRESIDING OFFICER; PROCEDURES. The commission shall appoint a presiding officer and other officers and adopt rules regarding commission procedure.

Sec. 482.055. COMPENSATION. A member of the commission is not entitled to compensation for service on the commission.

Sec. 482.056. MEETINGS. The commission shall meet at least twice a year. [Sections 482.057-482.100 reserved for expansion] SUBCHAPTER C. POWERS AND DUTIES OF COMMISSION

Sec. 482.101. DUTIES. The commission shall:

(1) hear public testimony, at not less than five locations in this state in the first year and not less than three locations in subsequent years, regarding the actual and potential social, environmental, economic, and legal impacts on this state of international trade agreements and negotiations;

(2) conduct an annual assessment of the impacts of international trade agreements on:

(A) the laws of this state;

(B) municipal laws;

(C) working conditions; and

(D) the business environment;

(3) submit an annual report of the commission's findings to:

(A) the governor;

(B) the legislature;

(C) the attorney general;

(D) the Texas congressional delegation;

(E) the Texas Municipal League;

(F) the Office of the United States Trade Representative;

(G) the National Conference of State Legislatures; and

(H) the National Association of Attorneys General;

(4) make the report under Subdivision (3) accessible to the public on an Internet website; and

(5) maintain active communication with any entity the commission determines is appropriate regarding ongoing development in international trade agreements and policy.

Sec. 482.102. AUTHORITY OF COMMISSION. The commission may:

(1) draft and recommend legislation to the legislature;

(2) recommend that the state support or withhold support from future trade negotiations or agreements; and

(3) examine any aspect of international trade, international economic integration, and trade agreements that the commission considers appropriate. CHAPTER 483. OFFICE OF TRADE DEVELOPMENT

Sec. 483.001. ESTABLISHMENT. The Office of Trade Development is an office within the office of the governor.

Sec. 483.002. DUTIES. The Office of Trade Development shall:

(1) monitor trade negotiations and disputes that impact this state's economy;

(2) analyze pending trade agreements that this state is considering signing and provide analysis to the governor, the legislature, the Citizen Trade Policy Commission, and the public;

(3) provide technical assistance to workers and businesses that are affected by unfair trade practices;

(4) annually provide a trade impact report to the governor, the legislature, and the Citizen Trade Policy Commission; and

(5) provide research and analysis as requested by the governor, the legislature, or the Citizen Trade Policy Commission.

Sec. 483.003. REPORT. The annual trade impact report required under Section 483.002 must include:

(1) an audit of the amount of public contract work being performed overseas;

(2) an audit of government goods being procured from overseas;

(3) a study of the impact of trade on state and local employment levels, tax revenue, and retraining and adjustment costs;

(4) an analysis of the constraints that trade rules place on state regulatory authority, including this state's ability to preserve the environment, protect public health and safety, and provide quality public services; and

(5) recommendations of specific actions this state should take in response to the impact of trade on this state, including:

(A) revocation of this state's consent to be bound by the procurement rules of international trade agreements;

(B) prohibition of offshore performance of state contract work and preferences for domestic content in state purchasing;

(C) state support for cases brought under federal trade laws by residents of this state;

(D) state advocacy for reform of trade agreements and trade laws at the federal level; and

(E) implementation of a growth strategy formulated with business, labor, and community participation, including:

(i) more effective early warning and layoff aversion measures;

(ii) increased assistance and adjustment programs for displaced workers and communities impacted by trade;

(iii) stronger standards and accountability for recipients of state subsidies and incentives;

(iv) investments in workforce training and development;

(v) investments in technology and infrastructure; and

(vi) increased access to capital for local producers.

SECTION 2. (a) Not later than October 1, 2007, the governor, lieutenant governor, and speaker of the house of representatives shall appoint persons to the Citizen Trade Policy Commission as required by Chapter 482, Government Code, as added by this Act.

(b) Not later than September 1, 2008, the Citizen Trade Policy Commission shall submit the first annual report as required by Chapter 482, Government Code, as added by this Act.

(c) Not later than September 1, 2008, the Office of Trade Development shall submit the first annual report as required by Chapter 483, Government Code, as added by this Act.

SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2007.