81R24960 CLG-D
By: Alonzo H.B. No. 186
Substitute the following for H.B. No. 186:
By: Moody C.S.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 nine members appointed as
follows:
(1) three members appointed by the governor;
(2) three members appointed by the lieutenant governor
from a list of nominees submitted by the Hispanic Caucus of the
senate; and
(3) three members appointed by the speaker of the
house of representatives from a list of nominees submitted by the
Mexican American Legislative Caucus of the house of
representatives.
(c) The Mexican American Legislative Caucus of the house of
representatives and the Hispanic Caucus of the senate, in
nominating members, and the governor, lieutenant governor, and
speaker of the house of representatives, 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 Subsection (b), the lieutenant governor and
speaker of the house of representatives may request the appropriate
caucus to provide 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 in Dallas.
Sec. 470.005. EXPENSES. Subject to the availability of
funds, 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. The bureau may employ an
executive director and personnel necessary to implement this
chapter.
Sec. 470.008. DUTIES. Subject to the availability of
funds, 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, including making
their facilities available to the bureau at the office's or
institution of higher education's own expense.
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,
lieutenant governor, and speaker of the house of representatives
shall each designate one member for a term expiring February 1,
2011, one member for a term expiring February 1, 2013, and one
member for a term expiring February 1, 2015.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2009.