87R5013 MWC-D
 
  By: King of Parker H.B. No. 3257
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the creation of the Texas Commission on Antisemitism.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Subtitle D, Title 4, Government Code, is amended
  by adding Chapter 448 to read as follows:
  CHAPTER 448. TEXAS COMMISSION ON ANTISEMITISM
  SUBCHAPTER A. GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS
         Sec. 448.001.  DEFINITIONS. In this chapter:
               (1)  "Antisemitism" means a certain perception of Jews
  that may be expressed as hatred toward Jews.  The term includes
  rhetorical and physical acts of antisemitism directed toward Jewish
  or non-Jewish individuals or their property or toward Jewish
  community institutions and religious facilities.
               (2)  "Commission" means the Texas Commission on
  Antisemitism. 
         Sec. 448.002.  SUNSET PROVISION. The Texas Commission on
  Antisemitism is subject to Chapter 325 (Texas Sunset Act). Unless
  continued in existence as provided by that chapter, the commission
  is abolished and this chapter expires September 1, 2033.
         Sec. 448.003.  ADMINISTRATIVE ATTACHMENT. The commission is
  administratively attached to the Texas Historical Commission.
  SUBCHAPTER B. TEXAS COMMISSION ON ANTISEMITISM
         Sec. 448.051.  COMPOSITION OF COMMISSION. (a) The governor
  shall appoint nine members to the commission.
         (b)  A member of the commission must be a resident of this
  state.
         (c)  The commission must include members who have
  demonstrated a significant interest in and are knowledgeable about
  issues in the Jewish community and antisemitism. 
         Sec. 448.052.  TERMS. (a) Commission members serve
  staggered six-year terms with the terms of three members expiring
  February 1 of each odd-numbered year.
         (b)  A commission member is eligible for reappointment to
  another term or part of a term.
         (c)  A commission member may not serve more than two
  consecutive terms. For purposes of this subsection, a member is
  considered to have served a term only if the member served two or
  more years of the member's term.
         Sec. 448.053.  PRESIDING OFFICER. The governor shall
  designate a member of the commission as presiding officer of the
  commission to serve in that capacity at the pleasure of the
  governor.
         Sec. 448.054.  COMPENSATION; EXPENSES. A member of the
  commission is not entitled to compensation but is entitled to
  reimbursement for the travel expenses incurred by the member while
  transacting commission business, as provided by the General
  Appropriations Act.
         Sec. 448.055.  MEETINGS; QUORUM; PUBLIC ACCESS. (a) The
  commission shall meet at least quarterly at the times and places in
  this state the commission designates.
         (b)  Five voting members of the commission constitute a
  quorum for transacting commission business.
         (c)  The commission shall develop and implement policies
  that provide the public with a reasonable opportunity to appear
  before the commission and speak on any issue under the jurisdiction
  of the commission.
         Sec. 448.056.  COORDINATOR; STAFF. (a) The Texas
  Historical Commission shall provide one part-time employee to serve
  as the coordinator for the commission to transact commission
  business.
         (b)  The Texas Historical Commission may provide staff and
  may support functions and activities of the commission from money
  available to the Texas Historical Commission that may be used for
  this purpose. The legislature may also specifically appropriate
  money to the Texas Historical Commission to provide staff and to
  otherwise support functions and activities of the commission.
  SUBCHAPTER C. DUTIES AND FUNDING
         Sec. 448.101.  ADVISORY STATUS OF COMMISSION. (a) In
  implementing its powers and duties under this chapter, the
  commission functions only in an advisory capacity. Membership on
  the commission does not constitute a public office.
         (b)  Chapter 2110 does not apply to the commission.
         Sec. 448.102.  DUTIES OF COMMISSION. (a) The commission
  shall:
               (1)  conduct a study on antisemitism in this state and
  submit a report on the results of the study to the governor, the
  lieutenant governor, the speaker of the house of representatives,
  and each member of the legislature not later than November 1 of each
  even-numbered year;
               (2)  provide advice and assistance to public and
  private primary and secondary schools and institutions of higher
  education in this state regarding methods of combating
  antisemitism; 
               (3)  meet with appropriate representatives of public
  and private organizations, including service organizations, to
  provide information on and to assist in planning, coordinating, or
  modifying antisemitism awareness programs; and
               (4)  solicit volunteers to participate in
  commemorative events designed to enhance public awareness of the
  fight against antisemitism.
         (b)  The commission shall adopt rules as necessary for its
  own procedures.
         Sec. 448.103.  FUNDING; AFFILIATED NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION.
  (a) The commission may accept gifts, grants, and donations from a
  public or private source for the commission to use in performing the
  commission's duties under this chapter.
         (b)  The commission may participate in the establishment and
  operation of an affiliated nonprofit organization whose purpose is
  to raise funds for or provide services or other benefits to the
  commission.
         SECTION 2.  As soon as practicable after the effective date
  of this Act, the governor shall appoint members to the Texas
  Commission on Antisemitism as provided by Chapter 448, Government
  Code, as added by this Act. To implement the staggering of terms of
  members of the commission provided by Section 448.052, Government
  Code, as added by this Act, in making the first appointments to the
  commission, the governor shall provide for three of the members to
  serve terms expiring February 1, 2023, three of the members to serve
  terms expiring February 1, 2025, and three of the members to serve
  terms expiring February 1, 2027. Subsequent appointments shall be
  for six-year terms, as provided by Section 448.052, Government
  Code, as added by this Act.
         SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.