Relating to provisions of state law requiring diversity.
Impact
If enacted, HB 4691 would significantly influence how various state boards and commissions appoint their members. It will require that governing bodies ensure diversity in their selection processes, which can potentially alter the composition of these boards to better represent Texas's demographic landscape. This change is seen as a step toward addressing long-standing inequities in state-level representation and could hold significant implications for policy-making that addresses the concerns of diverse communities.
Summary
House Bill 4691 focuses on mandating diversity within the appointment processes of state commissions and agencies in Texas. The bill seeks to amend existing laws to include specific provisions for ensuring that appointments reflect the ethnic, racial, and geographical diversity of the state's population. This includes a requirement for the submission of demographic reports that provide transparency around the diversity of appointed individuals, aiming to foster inclusive representation in state governance.
Contention
The bill may face contention relating to the specifics of how diversity is defined and measured. Critics may argue that the emphasis on demographic factors could lead to tokenism, where individuals are appointed primarily to fulfill diversity quotas rather than based on qualifications or merit. Additionally, there could be discussions around whether such measures infringe on the rights of appointing authorities to select candidates they deem most suitable for the roles, which might lead to debates about personal biases versus systemic representation needs.
Texas Constitutional Statutes Affected
Alcoholic Beverage Code
Chapter 5. Alcoholic Beverage Commission
Section: New Section
Education Code
Chapter 12. Charters
Section: New Section
Chapter 21. Educators
Section: New Section
Chapter 51. Provisions Generally Applicable To Higher Education
Section: 4032
Family Code
Chapter 264. Child Welfare Services
Section: 2041
Section: 502
Government Code
Chapter 157. Court Interpreters Licensing
Section: New Section
Chapter 403. Comptroller Of Public Accounts
Section: 1042
Section: 503
Chapter 444. Texas Commission On The Arts
Section: 023
Section: 024
Chapter 467. Texas Lottery Commission
Section: 035
Chapter 482. Texas Aerospace And Technology Support
Section: 606
Chapter 651. General Provisions
Section: 009
Chapter 2166. Building Construction And Acquisition And Disposition Of Real Property
Section: 404
Chapter 2306. Texas Department Of Housing And Community Affairs
Section: 027
Chapter 2308. Workforce Investment Act
Section: New Section
Health And Safety Code
Chapter 102. Cancer Prevention And Research Institute Of Texas
Section: New Section
Chapter 534. Community Services
Section: 003
Section: 004
Chapter 672. Adult Fatality Review And Investigation
Section: New Section
Chapter 674. Fetal And Infant Mortality Review
Section: 002
Local Government Code
Chapter 318. Historic Preservation By Counties
Section: 003
Occupations Code
Chapter 901. Accountants
Section: 654
Section: 659
Section: 660
Chapter 2022. Texas Racing Commission
Section: 052
Transportation Code
Chapter 201. General Provisions And Administration
Relating to a prohibition against the consideration of race or ethnicity as a factor in governmental employment or contracting, in other governmental functions, and in higher education admissions.
Relating to requiring public schools and public institutions of higher education to report data regarding certain arrests made on school or institution property.
Relating to requiring prior approval by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to offer a degree or certificate program to certain persons who are incarcerated or subject to involuntary civil commitment.
Relating to implicit bias training for justices and judges of state courts, judicial officers, certain court personnel, and attorneys licensed to practice law in this state.
Relating to requiring a school district or open-enrollment charter school to report data regarding certain disciplinary or law enforcement actions taken against students.