By: Strama, Anchia H.B. No. 3255
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the creation of guidelines for the Office of the State
Demographer to encourage the inclusion of a broad variety of
racial/ethnic groups in estimates and projections.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 468.004, Government Code, is amended to
read as follows:
Sec. 468.004. POWERS AND DUTIES. The state demographer
shall:
(1) disseminate demographic and related socioeconomic
data to the public, with emphasis on data that may be useful to
public policymakers;
(2) provide annual population estimates for all
counties and municipalities in the state;
(3) provide biennial population projections for the
state and all counties of the state;
(4) adhere to current standards of practice when
determining which racial/ethnic groups to include in estimates and
projections;
(5) provide information by request which justifies the
omission of any particular racial/ethnic group from estimates and
projections, including limitations of data and methodology;
(6) [(4)] provide information to the legislature
relating to the impact that demographic and socioeconomic changes
in the population of the state have on the demand for state
services; and
(7) [(5)] evaluate the type and quality of data needed
to:
(A) adequately monitor demographic and
socioeconomic changes in the population of the state; and
(B) assess the effectiveness of delivery of state
services.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
Act takes effect September 1, 2011.