S.B. No. 459
AN ACT
relating to the creation of the Advisory Council on Cultural
Affairs in the office of the governor.
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. ADVISORY COUNCIL ON CULTURAL AFFAIRS
Sec. 470.001. DEFINITIONS. In this chapter:
(1) "Council" means the Advisory Council on Cultural
Affairs.
(2) "State agency" includes an institution of higher
education as defined by Section 61.003, Education Code.
Sec. 470.002. ESTABLISHMENT. The Advisory Council on
Cultural Affairs is established in the office of the governor to
advise the office on setting policy priorities that address and
raise public awareness of major issues affecting this state due to
the rapid growth of the state's Hispanic population and other
issues resulting from changes in demographics in this state as
determined by the governor.
Sec. 470.003. COMPOSITION; TERMS. (a) The council is
composed of nine members appointed as follows:
(1) one ex officio member of the legislature appointed
by the speaker of the house of representatives;
(2) one ex officio member of the legislature appointed
by the lieutenant governor; and
(3) seven members appointed by the governor.
(b) Members appointed by the speaker of the house and the
lieutenant governor serve two-year terms. Members appointed by the
governor serve four-year staggered terms, with either three or four
members' terms expiring February 1 of each odd-numbered year.
(c) In making appointments to the council, the appointing
officials shall attempt to achieve representation of all areas of
the state.
(d) The governor shall designate the chair and vice chair of
the council from among the members of the council.
Sec. 470.004. MEETINGS. The council shall meet at least
quarterly each fiscal year. The council may hold meetings by
conference call.
Sec. 470.005. COMPENSATION. A member of the council is not
entitled to compensation or reimbursement of expenses incurred in
performing council duties.
Sec. 470.006. DUTIES. The council shall study and make
recommendations relating to the effect of the changing demographics
of this state on the following areas, as they relate to this state:
(1) the economy;
(2) the workplace;
(3) educational attainment;
(4) health;
(5) veterans affairs; and
(6) political leadership.
Sec. 470.007. RECOMMENDATIONS. The council shall submit a
report of the council's recommendations to the governor, lieutenant
governor, and speaker of the house of representatives not later
than October 1 of each even-numbered year.
Sec. 470.008. EXEMPTION. Chapter 2110 does not apply to the
council.
Sec. 470.009. ASSISTANCE OF STATE AGENCIES. State agencies
and political subdivisions of this state shall cooperate with the
council to the greatest extent practicable to fully implement the
council's statutory duties.
SECTION 2. Not later than October 1, 2015, the speaker of
the house of representatives, the lieutenant governor, and the
governor shall appoint the members of the Advisory Council on
Cultural Affairs established by Chapter 470, Government Code, as
added by this Act. In appointing the initial members of the
council, the governor shall appoint three persons to terms expiring
February 1, 2017, and four to terms expiring February 1, 2019.
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, 2015.
______________________________ ______________________________
President of the Senate Speaker of the House
I hereby certify that S.B. No. 459 passed the Senate on
May 5, 2015, by the following vote: Yeas 23, Nays 8;
May 22, 2015, Senate refused to concur in House amendment and
requested appointment of Conference Committee; May 27, 2015, House
granted request of the Senate; May 30, 2015, Senate adopted
Conference Committee Report by the following vote: Yeas 24,
Nays 7.
______________________________
Secretary of the Senate
I hereby certify that S.B. No. 459 passed the House, with
amendment, on May 18, 2015, by the following vote: Yeas 104,
Nays 33, one present not voting; May 27, 2015, House granted
request of the Senate for appointment of Conference Committee;
May 30, 2015, House adopted Conference Committee Report by the
following vote: Yeas 95, Nays 48, two present not voting.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House
Approved:
______________________________
Date
______________________________
Governor