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.