83R18726 RWG-F
By: Guerra, Munoz, Jr. H.B. No. 3714
Substitute the following for H.B. No. 3714:
By: Vo C.S.H.B. No. 3714
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the creation of the Office of Small Business Assistance
Advisory Task Force.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 481, Government Code, is
amended by adding Section 481.00681 to read as follows:
Sec. 481.00681. OFFICE OF SMALL BUSINESS ASSISTANCE
ADVISORY TASK FORCE. (a) In this section:
(1) "Small business" means a business that employs at
least 25 but not more than 250 individuals.
(2) "Task force" means the Office of Small Business
Assistance Advisory Task Force.
(b) The Office of Small Business Assistance shall establish
the task force.
(c) The task force is composed of seven members appointed as
follows:
(1) two members appointed by the governor;
(2) three members appointed by the speaker of the
house of representatives; and
(3) two members appointed by the lieutenant governor.
(d) A task force member serves a two-year term. A task force
member may be reappointed for additional terms.
(e) Task force members serve without compensation but are
entitled to reimbursement for reasonable and necessary expenses
incurred in the discharge of their duties.
(f) The task force shall meet as often as necessary but
shall meet at least once a year.
(g) The task force shall:
(1) advise and assist the Office of Small Business
Assistance with its duties under Section 481.0068(b) to the extent
that they relate to small businesses;
(2) advise and assist the governor, the lieutenant
governor, and the speaker of the house of representatives with
issues that relate to small businesses; and
(3) provide information in plain language to the
public on issues related to small businesses, including:
(A) environmental permitting and compliance;
(B) local regulations;
(C) construction permitting;
(D) the duties of the comptroller to the extent
that the duties relate to small businesses; and
(E) the formation of business entities.
(h) Not later than January 1 of each odd-numbered year, the
task force shall submit to the legislature a report that:
(1) describes issues related to small businesses; and
(2) proposes legislation to assist small businesses.
SECTION 2. As soon as practicable after the effective date
of this Act, the governor, the lieutenant governor, and the speaker
of the house of representatives shall appoint the members of the
Office of Small Business Assistance Advisory Task Force as required
by Section 481.00681, Government Code, as added by this Act.
SECTION 3. 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, 2013.