BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center H.B. 3255 By: Strama, Anchia (Van de Putte) State Affairs 5/6/2011 Engrossed
BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center H.B. 3255
By: Strama, Anchia (Van de Putte)
State Affairs
5/6/2011
Engrossed
Senate Research Center
H.B. 3255
By: Strama, Anchia (Van de Putte)
State Affairs
5/6/2011
Engrossed
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT The Office of the State Demographer compiles data about demographic and socioeconomic groups in Texas and works in conjunction with the Texas State Data Center to share such information with state policymakers and the United States Census Bureau. The state demographer produces annual estimate and biennial projections regarding state and counties by age, sex, and race/ethnicity. The projects are used extensively by public and private entities and are circulated by the Texas State Data Center. The current racial/ethnic groups included in the state demographer's estimates and projections are Anglo, Black, Hispanic, and Other. As other minority groups in Texas grow, interested parties note that it is critical that they have access to data concerning their communities. There is a concern that the state demographer currently does not have adequate statutory guidelines to determine which groups to include in such estimates and projections. H.B. 3255 seeks to meet this need by changing certain guidelines to encourage the state demographer to include information about a broad range of racial and ethnic groups in estimates and projections. H.B. 3255 amends current law 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. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Section 468.004, Government Code, to require the state demographer to, among other actions, adhere to the current standards of practice when determining which racial/ethnic groups to include in estimates and projects, and provide information by request which justifies the omission of any particular racial/ethnic group from estimates and projections, including limitations of data and methodology. Makes nonsubstantive changes. SECTION 2. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2011.
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
The Office of the State Demographer compiles data about demographic and socioeconomic groups in Texas and works in conjunction with the Texas State Data Center to share such information with state policymakers and the United States Census Bureau.
The state demographer produces annual estimate and biennial projections regarding state and counties by age, sex, and race/ethnicity. The projects are used extensively by public and private entities and are circulated by the Texas State Data Center. The current racial/ethnic groups included in the state demographer's estimates and projections are Anglo, Black, Hispanic, and Other. As other minority groups in Texas grow, interested parties note that it is critical that they have access to data concerning their communities.
There is a concern that the state demographer currently does not have adequate statutory guidelines to determine which groups to include in such estimates and projections. H.B. 3255 seeks to meet this need by changing certain guidelines to encourage the state demographer to include information about a broad range of racial and ethnic groups in estimates and projections.
H.B. 3255 amends current law 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.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Section 468.004, Government Code, to require the state demographer to, among other actions, adhere to the current standards of practice when determining which racial/ethnic groups to include in estimates and projects, and provide information by request which justifies the omission of any particular racial/ethnic group from estimates and projections, including limitations of data and methodology. Makes nonsubstantive changes.
SECTION 2. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2011.