BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center H.B. 4067
81R30520 PMO-D By: Gonzales et al. (Lucio)
International Relations & Trade
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
The Texas economy is closely tied with Mexico—in fact, Mexico is our state's largest trading partner and our country's second-largest trading partner. The South Texas border region plays an especially important role in this economic relationship: 80 percent of the $332 billion in trade between the U.S. and Mexico entered through Texas ports of entry along the border. However, this vitally important Texas area is threatened by worldwide recession and drug-cartel related violence, the effects of which will eventually extend to all of Texas and the rest of the nation.
H.B. 4067 relates to the creation of the Bureau of Economic Development of the Border Region to study and provide recommendations to the legislature about potential economic development projects in the area.
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. Amends Subtitle E, Title 4, Government Code, by adding Chapter 471, as follows:
CHAPTER 471. BUREAU FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF THE BORDER REGION
Sec. 471.001. DEFINITIONS. Defines "border region" and "bureau."
Sec. 471.002. BUREAU; MEMBERS. (a) Provides that the Bureau for Economic Development of the Border Region (bureau) is a partnership of participating public and private entities administered by a public or private institution of higher education that is designated by the steering committee of the bureau and agrees to serve in that capacity.
(b) Provides that the bureau has a steering committee that consists of seven members as follows:
(1) one member appointed by the lieutenant governor;
(2) one member appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives;
(3) three members appointed by the administration of the institution of higher education; and
(4) the chair of the House Committee on Border and Intergovernmental Affairs, and the senate committee to which border affairs are referred.
(c) Requires the members of the bureau's steering committee appointed under Subsections (b)(1) and (2) to be residents of the border region. Authorizes but does not require that the other appointed members of the steering committee be residents of the border region.
(d) Requires the members of the bureau's steering committee to be selected to provide the bureau expertise relating to financial planning and development, construction, engineering, and trade.
(e) Requires the institution of higher education that administers the bureau to provide educational expertise to the bureau.
Sec. 471.003. TERMS. Provides that the appointed members of the bureau's steering committee serve staggered terms of two years, with as near as possible to one-half of the members' terms expiring February 1 of each year.
Sec. 471.004. MEETINGS; OFFICERS. (a) Requires the bureau's steering committee to hold at least one regular meeting annually.
(b) Requires the steering committee, at its first meeting, to select from its membership a presiding officer.
(c) Requires the steering committee to meet subject to the call of the chairperson.
Sec. 471.005. FUNDING. (a) Authorizes the bureau, in addition to any amount appropriated by the legislature, to apply for and accept funds from the federal government or any other public or private entity. Authorizes the bureau or any member of the bureau's steering committee to also solicit and accept pledges, gifts, and endowments from private sources on the bureau's behalf. Requires that a pledge, gift, or endowment solicited under this section be consistent with the purposes of the bureau.
(b) Requires the bureau to manage and approve disbursements of any appropriations, funds, pledges, gifts, and endowments that are the property of the bureau.
Sec. 471.006. DUTIES. Requires the bureau to:
(1) facilitate research in fields of study affecting the economy in the border region;
(2) deliver economic and financial education to persons living in the border region;
(3) draft and submit reports to advise the legislature about economic development opportunities in the border region;
(4) provide evaluation of specific proposals for use of economic development funds in the border region, including tax abatement agreements;
(5) consult with the Texas Economic Development and Tourism Office within the office of the governor on issues related to the border region;
(6) study and report on opportunities to improve trade across the international border; and
(7) make recommendations to the legislature about establishment of infrastructure projects to assist multiple counties in the border region.
Sec. 471.007. GIFTS AND GRANTS; OTHER ASSISTANCE. (a) Authorizes the bureau to accept gifts and grants from any source to be used to carry out the bureau's duties. Requires the bureau to actively seek gifts from businesses and organizations that represent businesses to support the bureau's functions.
(b) Authorizes the institution of higher education that administers the bureau to provide facilities and services to further the purposes of the bureau.
SECTION 2. (a) Sets forth requirements relating to the initial appointed members of the bureau's steering committee.
(b) Requires the initial members of the steering committee that have been appointed under Sections 471.002(b)(1) and (2), Government Code, as added by this Act, and the initial members designated under Section 471.002(b)(4), Government Code, as added by this Act, as soon as practicable after the initial appointed members of the bureau's steering committee have been appointed in accordance with Sections 471.002(b)(1) and (2), Government Code, as added by this Act, and have qualified for office, to designate the institution of higher education as required by Section 471.002, Government Code, as added by this Act.
SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 2009.