SRC-TNM S.B. 1514 75(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 1514
By: Truan
International Relations, Trade & Technology
3-24-97
As Filed


DIGEST 

Currently, the International Relations, Trade and Technology (IRTT)
Committee finds, in its interim study, that Texas' efforts to address the
colonias have been less than efficient.  The IRTT Committee recommends
that the legislature establish interagency coordination as a statutory
mandate upon the agencies whose activities affect the colonias, and the
legislature should consider providing funding for agency coordination
activities at the local level and in the central offices of the relevant
agencies. S.B. 1514 would establish a system for coordination among the
agencies with responsibilities regarding colonias. 

PURPOSE

As proposed, S.B. 1514 outlines provisions regarding coordinating colonia
initiatives. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, institution, or agency. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Chapter 402B, Government Code, by adding Section
402.029, as follows: 

Sec. 402.029. COORDINATION OF COLONIA INITIATIVES.  Defines "colonia."
Sets forth state agencies required to designate an officer or employee of
the agency to serve as the agency's coordinator of colonia initiatives.
Sets forth requirements for each agency's and the attorney general's
coordinator of colonia initiatives.  Requires representatives of each
state agency listed in Subsection (b) who are assigned to duty at an
office of the agency near the international border of this state and whose
assigned duties include responsibility for some aspect of the agency's
work with colonias or with residents of colonias to meet with each other
according to a schedule established by the representatives to coordinate
colonia initiatives at the local level.  Authorizes representatives from
the agencies' offices that serve the same county or counties or
representatives from all of the agencies' offices near the international
border to meet together.   

SECTION 2. Emergency clause.
  Effective date: upon passage.