82R2236 JE-D
 
  By: Gonzales of Hidalgo, Martinez, Lucio III, H.B. No. 397
      Margo, Gallego, et al.
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the creation of the Bureau for Economic Development of
  the Border Region.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.   Subtitle F, Title 4, Government Code, is amended
  by adding Chapter 490D to read as follows:
  CHAPTER 490D. BUREAU FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF THE BORDER REGION
         Sec. 490D.001.  DEFINITIONS.  In this chapter:
               (1)  "Border region" means the portion of this state
  located:
                     (A)  not more than 100 kilometers from the state's
  international border; or
                     (B)  in a county located on an international
  border.
               (2)  "Bureau" means the Bureau for Economic Development
  of the Border Region.
         Sec. 490D.002.  BUREAU; MEMBERS.  (a) The Bureau for
  Economic Development of the Border Region 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)  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;
               (4)  the chair of the House Committee on Border and
  Intergovernmental Affairs, designated by the speaker of the house
  of representatives; and
               (5)  the chair of the senate committee to which border
  affairs are referred, designated by the lieutenant governor.
         (c)  The members of the bureau's steering committee
  appointed under Subsections (b)(1) and (2) must be residents of the
  border region.  The other appointed or designated members of the
  steering committee may be residents of the border region.
         (d)  Members of the bureau's steering committee must be
  selected to provide the bureau expertise relating to financial
  planning and development, construction, engineering, and trade.
         (e)  The institution of higher education that administers
  the bureau shall provide educational expertise to the bureau.
         Sec. 490D.003.  TERMS.  (a)  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.
         (b)  The members of the bureau's steering committee
  designated under Sections 490D.002(b)(4) and (5) serve terms that
  expire February 1 of each odd-numbered year.
         Sec. 490D.004.  MEETINGS; OFFICERS.  (a) The bureau's
  steering committee shall hold at least one regular meeting
  annually.
         (b)  At its first meeting, the steering committee shall
  select from its membership a presiding officer.
         (c)  The steering committee shall meet subject to the call of
  the presiding officer.
         Sec. 490D.005.  DUTIES. The bureau shall:
               (1)  facilitate research in fields of study affecting
  the economy in the border region;
               (2)  make recommendations to the legislature regarding
  the provision of 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 the
  establishment of infrastructure projects to assist multiple
  counties in the border region.
         Sec. 490D.006.  FUNDING. (a)  In addition to any amount
  appropriated by the legislature, the bureau may apply for and
  accept funds from the federal government or any other public or
  private entity to carry out the bureau's duties.
         (b)  The bureau or any member of the bureau's steering
  committee may also solicit and accept pledges, gifts, and
  endowments from private sources on the bureau's behalf.   The bureau
  shall actively seek gifts from businesses and organizations that
  represent businesses to support the bureau's functions.  A pledge,
  gift, or endowment solicited under this section must be consistent
  with the purposes of the bureau.
         Sec. 490D.007.  FACILITIES AND OTHER ASSISTANCE.  The
  institution of higher education that administers the bureau may
  provide facilities and services to further the purposes of the
  bureau.
         Sec. 490D.008.  DURATION.  Section 2110.008 does not apply
  to the bureau.
         SECTION 2.  (a)  In appointing the initial appointed members
  of the steering committee of the Bureau for Economic Development of
  the Border Region under Section 490D.002, Government Code, as added
  by this Act:
               (1)  the lieutenant governor shall appoint one member
  to serve a term expiring February 1, 2012;
               (2)  the speaker of the house of representatives shall
  appoint one member to serve a term expiring February 1, 2012; and
               (3)  the administration of the institution of higher
  education that administers the bureau shall appoint one member to
  serve a term expiring February 1, 2012, and two members to serve a
  term expiring February 1, 2013.
         (b)  As soon as practicable after the initial members of the
  steering committee of the Bureau for Economic Development of the
  Border Region have been appointed or designated under Section
  490D.002(b)(1), (2), (4), or (5), Government Code, as added by this
  Act, those initial members of the steering committee shall
  designate the institution of higher education as required by
  Section 490D.002, Government Code, as added by this Act.
         SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2011.