Session of 2025 HOUSE BILL No. 2150 By Representative Xu 1-29 AN ACT establishing the advisory commission on Asian-American Pacific Islander affairs; providing for the composition thereof; appointment of members; powers and duties. Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Kansas: Section 1. (a) There is hereby established the advisory commission on Asian-American Pacific Islander affairs. The commission shall be advisory to the governor and shall be within the office of the governor and a part thereof. (b) As used in sections 1 through 6, and amendments thereto, "commission" means the advisory commission on Asian-American Pacific Islander affairs. Sec. 2. (a) (1) The commission shall consist of seven members who shall be appointed as follows: (A) One member shall be appointed by the president of the senate; (B) one member shall be appointed by the minority leader of the senate; (C) one member shall be appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives; (D) one member shall be appointed by the minority leader of the house of representatives; and (E) three members shall be appointed by the governor. (2) Each initial member of the commission shall be appointed by the respective appointing authority on or before July 15, 2025. (b) Members shall be appointed for terms of three years and until successors are appointed and qualified. (c) A person appointed to fill a vacancy that occurs prior to the expiration of a term shall be appointed for the unexpired term. (d) Not more than four members shall be members of the same political party. (e) Subject to the provisions of K.S.A. 75-4315c, and amendments thereto, each congressional district in the state of Kansas shall be represented on the commission by at least one member who is a resident of the district at the time of appointment and the remainder shall represent the state at large. Sec. 3. (a) The commission shall organize annually by electing a 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 HB 2150 2 chairperson and a secretary from its membership. The commission may adopt such rules of procedure as the commission deems necessary for the conduct of business. (b) The commission shall meet at least four times a year. The chairperson may call additional meetings. A majority of members shall constitute a quorum. (c) Members of the commission attending meetings of such commission shall be paid the amounts provided for in K.S.A. 75-3223(e), and amendments thereto. Sec. 4. The commission shall have the following functions, powers and duties: (a) Gather and disseminate information and conduct hearings, conferences and special studies on problems and programs concerning Asian-American Pacific Islanders; (b) coordinate, assist and cooperate with the efforts of state departments and agencies to serve the needs of Asian-American Pacific Islanders especially in the areas of culture, education, employment, health, housing, welfare and recreation; (c) develop, coordinate and assist other public and private associations and organizations with understanding the problems of Asian- American Pacific Islanders; (d) develop, coordinate and assist other public and private associations and organizations to provide services to Asian-American Pacific Islanders; (e) propose new programs concerning Asian-American Pacific Islanders; (f) evaluate existing programs and proposed legislation concerning Asian-American Pacific Islanders; (g) stimulate public awareness of the concerns and problems of Asian-American Pacific Islanders by conducting a program of public education; (h) conduct training programs for community leadership and service project staff; (i) accept contributions to assist in the implementation and administration of this section and seek and enlist the cooperation of private, charitable, religious, labor, civic and benevolent organizations for such purposes; (j) solicit, receive and expend federal funds to assist in the implementation and administration of this section and enter into contracts and agreements with any federal agency for such purposes; and (k) establish advisory committees on special subjects. Sec. 5. (a) The commission may appoint, subject to the approval of the governor, an executive director who shall be qualified by education 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 HB 2150 3 and experience to assume the responsibilities of such office. (b) The executive director shall be the administrative officer of the commission and shall serve the commission by: (1) Gathering information; (2) disseminating findings of fact and other information; (3) forwarding proposals and evaluations to the governor, the legislature and various state agencies; (4) carrying out public education programs; (5) conducting hearings and conferences; and (6) performing other duties necessary for the proper operation of the commission. Sec. 6. The executive director of the commission may appoint, subject to the approval of the commission and the governor, technical advisors and assistants to develop, assist and cooperate with local organizations and associations on Asian-American Pacific Islander concerns. Sec. 7. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its publication in the statute book. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18