81R2500 CLG-D

By: Alonzo H.B. No. 186

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the creation of the Bureau for Economic Development and Hispanic Studies.

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

SECTION 1. Subtitle E, Title 4, Government Code, is amended by adding Chapter 470 to read as follows:

CHAPTER 470. BUREAU FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND

HISPANIC STUDIES

Sec. 470.001. DEFINITION. In this chapter, "bureau" means the Bureau for Economic Development and Hispanic Studies.

Sec. 470.002. BUREAU; MEMBERS. (a) The Bureau for Economic Development and Hispanic Studies is an agency of the state.

(b) The bureau is composed of 18 members appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the senate.

(c) In making the appointments, the governor shall appoint six of the members from a list of nominees submitted by the Mexican American Legislative Caucus of the house of representatives and shall appoint six of the members from a list of nominees submitted by the Hispanic Caucus of the senate. The caucuses, in nominating members, and the governor, in appointing members, shall provide for representation of the diversity of this state and shall include members from both urban and rural areas and from all geographic areas of the state. If necessary to make the appointments under this subsection, the governor may request and a caucus shall give to the governor additional lists of nominees.

(d) A member of the bureau must:

(1) be a resident of this state; and

(2) have demonstrated an interest in preserving the cultural heritage of the Hispanic citizens of this state and in advancing educational and economic opportunities and political rights for Hispanic citizens.

Sec. 470.003. TERMS. Members serve for staggered terms of six years, with the terms of one-third of the members expiring February 1 of each odd-numbered year.

Sec. 470.004. MEETINGS; OFFICERS; OFFICE. (a) The bureau shall hold at least one regular meeting in each calendar quarter of each year.

(b) At its first meeting in each odd-numbered year, the bureau shall select from its membership a presiding officer and an assistant presiding officer.

(c) The bureau shall maintain its main office at Dallas.

Sec. 470.005. EXPENSES. A member of the bureau is entitled to reimbursement for expenses incurred for service on the bureau, as provided by the General Appropriations Act. A member may not receive any compensation for that service.

Sec. 470.006. SUNSET PROVISION. The bureau is subject to Chapter 325 (Texas Sunset Act). Unless continued in existence as provided by that chapter, the bureau is abolished and this chapter expires September 1, 2021.

Sec. 470.007. PERSONNEL. (a) The bureau shall employ an executive director.

(b) The executive director may employ personnel necessary to implement this chapter.

Sec. 470.008. DUTIES. The bureau shall:

(1) develop proposals for maximizing trade between this state and all foreign countries;

(2) undertake research to encourage the analysis of public policies affecting Hispanic citizens;

(3) conduct studies and develop policy proposals on issues of particular interest and importance to Hispanic citizens, including studies and policies relating to:

(A) educational issues;

(B) employment opportunities, including means by which opportunities created by foreign trade agreements and federal funds may be used to prevent loss of jobs by Hispanic citizens;

(C) access to social services;

(D) family issues, including issues regarding child abuse and family violence;

(E) political rights and access, including voting rights and rights relating to the use of languages;

(F) immigration rights;

(G) administrative law and regulatory issues;

(H) customs law and other law governing international trade;

(I) relevant cultural differences, including the effects of use of different languages;

(J) affirmative action programs;

(K) alcohol and drug abuse; and

(L) other pertinent issues;

(4) serve as a clearinghouse of information for other agencies and organizations concerned with issues of importance to Hispanic citizens; and

(5) distribute the results of its studies and policy proposals to appropriate federal, state, and local governmental agencies and officials, community organizations, private leaders, and the public.

Sec. 470.009. ASSISTANCE. The Texas Economic Development and Tourism Office and state institutions of higher education shall assist the bureau in carrying out its duties.

Sec. 470.010. GIFTS AND GRANTS. The bureau may accept gifts and grants from any source to be used to carry out the bureau's duties. The bureau shall actively seek gifts from businesses and organizations that represent businesses to support the bureau's functions.

SECTION 2. In making the initial appointments to the Bureau for Economic Development and Hispanic Studies, the governor shall designate six members for terms expiring February 1, 2011, six members for terms expiring February 1, 2013, and six members for terms expiring February 1, 2015.

SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2009.