87R5013 MWC-D
By: King of Parker H.B. No. 3257
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the creation of the Texas Commission on Antisemitism.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subtitle D, Title 4, Government Code, is amended
by adding Chapter 448 to read as follows:
CHAPTER 448. TEXAS COMMISSION ON ANTISEMITISM
SUBCHAPTER A. GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS
Sec. 448.001. DEFINITIONS. In this chapter:
(1) "Antisemitism" means a certain perception of Jews
that may be expressed as hatred toward Jews. The term includes
rhetorical and physical acts of antisemitism directed toward Jewish
or non-Jewish individuals or their property or toward Jewish
community institutions and religious facilities.
(2) "Commission" means the Texas Commission on
Antisemitism.
Sec. 448.002. SUNSET PROVISION. The Texas Commission on
Antisemitism is subject to Chapter 325 (Texas Sunset Act). Unless
continued in existence as provided by that chapter, the commission
is abolished and this chapter expires September 1, 2033.
Sec. 448.003. ADMINISTRATIVE ATTACHMENT. The commission is
administratively attached to the Texas Historical Commission.
SUBCHAPTER B. TEXAS COMMISSION ON ANTISEMITISM
Sec. 448.051. COMPOSITION OF COMMISSION. (a) The governor
shall appoint nine members to the commission.
(b) A member of the commission must be a resident of this
state.
(c) The commission must include members who have
demonstrated a significant interest in and are knowledgeable about
issues in the Jewish community and antisemitism.
Sec. 448.052. TERMS. (a) Commission members serve
staggered six-year terms with the terms of three members expiring
February 1 of each odd-numbered year.
(b) A commission member is eligible for reappointment to
another term or part of a term.
(c) A commission member may not serve more than two
consecutive terms. For purposes of this subsection, a member is
considered to have served a term only if the member served two or
more years of the member's term.
Sec. 448.053. PRESIDING OFFICER. The governor shall
designate a member of the commission as presiding officer of the
commission to serve in that capacity at the pleasure of the
governor.
Sec. 448.054. COMPENSATION; EXPENSES. A member of the
commission is not entitled to compensation but is entitled to
reimbursement for the travel expenses incurred by the member while
transacting commission business, as provided by the General
Appropriations Act.
Sec. 448.055. MEETINGS; QUORUM; PUBLIC ACCESS. (a) The
commission shall meet at least quarterly at the times and places in
this state the commission designates.
(b) Five voting members of the commission constitute a
quorum for transacting commission business.
(c) The commission shall develop and implement policies
that provide the public with a reasonable opportunity to appear
before the commission and speak on any issue under the jurisdiction
of the commission.
Sec. 448.056. COORDINATOR; STAFF. (a) The Texas
Historical Commission shall provide one part-time employee to serve
as the coordinator for the commission to transact commission
business.
(b) The Texas Historical Commission may provide staff and
may support functions and activities of the commission from money
available to the Texas Historical Commission that may be used for
this purpose. The legislature may also specifically appropriate
money to the Texas Historical Commission to provide staff and to
otherwise support functions and activities of the commission.
SUBCHAPTER C. DUTIES AND FUNDING
Sec. 448.101. ADVISORY STATUS OF COMMISSION. (a) In
implementing its powers and duties under this chapter, the
commission functions only in an advisory capacity. Membership on
the commission does not constitute a public office.
(b) Chapter 2110 does not apply to the commission.
Sec. 448.102. DUTIES OF COMMISSION. (a) The commission
shall:
(1) conduct a study on antisemitism in this state and
submit a report on the results of the study to the governor, the
lieutenant governor, the speaker of the house of representatives,
and each member of the legislature not later than November 1 of each
even-numbered year;
(2) provide advice and assistance to public and
private primary and secondary schools and institutions of higher
education in this state regarding methods of combating
antisemitism;
(3) meet with appropriate representatives of public
and private organizations, including service organizations, to
provide information on and to assist in planning, coordinating, or
modifying antisemitism awareness programs; and
(4) solicit volunteers to participate in
commemorative events designed to enhance public awareness of the
fight against antisemitism.
(b) The commission shall adopt rules as necessary for its
own procedures.
Sec. 448.103. FUNDING; AFFILIATED NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION.
(a) The commission may accept gifts, grants, and donations from a
public or private source for the commission to use in performing the
commission's duties under this chapter.
(b) The commission may participate in the establishment and
operation of an affiliated nonprofit organization whose purpose is
to raise funds for or provide services or other benefits to the
commission.
SECTION 2. As soon as practicable after the effective date
of this Act, the governor shall appoint members to the Texas
Commission on Antisemitism as provided by Chapter 448, Government
Code, as added by this Act. To implement the staggering of terms of
members of the commission provided by Section 448.052, Government
Code, as added by this Act, in making the first appointments to the
commission, the governor shall provide for three of the members to
serve terms expiring February 1, 2023, three of the members to serve
terms expiring February 1, 2025, and three of the members to serve
terms expiring February 1, 2027. Subsequent appointments shall be
for six-year terms, as provided by Section 448.052, Government
Code, as added by this Act.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.