BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 1286

By: Johnson

International Trade & Intergovernmental Affairs

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Interested parties note that attracting foreign investment to the state and fostering global trade opportunities are vital to securing a robust Texas economy. In the interest of promoting such endeavors, these parties support the designation of an advocate for business and trade relationships between Texas and foreign countries and assert that such an advocate would benefit from a distinguished title recognized by the legislature while working to attract new foreign investment and serving as the face of our state around the globe. H.B. 1286 seeks to create the position of state trade representative in the office of the governor in the interest of promoting trade between Texas and countries abroad.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

H.B. 1286 amends the Government Code to require the governor to designate a state trade representative in the governor's office and to set out eligibility requirements for designation as such a representative. The bill prohibits the representative from being assigned duties other than duties related to the representative's designation and requires the representative annually to report to the governor, the lieutenant governor, the speaker of the house of representatives, and the standing committees in the senate and house of representatives with jurisdiction over international trade matters on expansion of international trade in the state, including the opening of new markets for goods and services produced and manufactured in the state, and on major investments made in the state as a result of international commerce.

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2013.