82R2236 JE-D
	By: Gonzales of Hidalgo	H.B. No. 397

	A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
	AN ACT
	relating to the creation of the Bureau for Economic Development of
	the Border Region.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
	SECTION 1.   Subtitle F, Title 4, Government Code, is amended
	by adding Chapter 490D to read as follows:
	CHAPTER 490D. BUREAU FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF THE BORDER REGION
	Sec. 490D.001.  DEFINITIONS.  In this chapter:
	(1)  "Border region" means the portion of this state
	located:
	(A)  not more than 100 kilometers from the state's
	international border; or
	(B)  in a county located on an international
	border.
	(2)  "Bureau" means the Bureau for Economic Development
	of the Border Region.
	Sec. 490D.002.  BUREAU; MEMBERS.  (a) The Bureau for
	Economic Development of the Border Region is a partnership of
	participating public and private entities administered by a public
	or private institution of higher education that is designated by
	the steering committee of the bureau and agrees to serve in that
	capacity.
	(b)  The bureau has a steering committee that consists of
	seven members as follows:
	(1)  one member appointed by the lieutenant governor;
	(2)  one member appointed by the speaker of the house of
	representatives;
	(3)  three members appointed by the administration of
	the institution of higher education;
	(4)  the chair of the House Committee on Border and
	Intergovernmental Affairs, designated by the speaker of the house
	of representatives; and
	(5)  the chair of the senate committee to which border
	affairs are referred, designated by the lieutenant governor.
	(c)  The members of the bureau's steering committee
	appointed under Subsections (b)(1) and (2) must be residents of the
	border region.  The other appointed or designated members of the
	steering committee may be residents of the border region.
	(d)  Members of the bureau's steering committee must be
	selected to provide the bureau expertise relating to financial
	planning and development, construction, engineering, and trade.
	(e)  The institution of higher education that administers
	the bureau shall provide educational expertise to the bureau.
	Sec. 490D.003.  TERMS.  (a)  The appointed members of the
	bureau's steering committee serve staggered terms of two years,
	with as near as possible to one-half of the members' terms expiring
	February 1 of each year.
	(b)  The members of the bureau's steering committee
	designated under Sections 490D.002(b)(4) and (5) serve terms that
	expire February 1 of each odd-numbered year.
	Sec. 490D.004.  MEETINGS; OFFICERS.  (a) The bureau's
	steering committee shall hold at least one regular meeting
	annually.
	(b)  At its first meeting, the steering committee shall
	select from its membership a presiding officer.
	(c)  The steering committee shall meet subject to the call of
	the presiding officer.
	Sec. 490D.005.  DUTIES. The bureau shall:
	(1)  facilitate research in fields of study affecting
	the economy in the border region;
	(2)  make recommendations to the legislature regarding
	the provision of economic and financial education to persons living
	in the border region;
	(3)  draft and submit reports to advise the legislature
	about economic development opportunities in the border region;
	(4)  provide evaluation of specific proposals for use
	of economic development funds in the border region, including tax
	abatement agreements;
	(5)  consult with the Texas Economic Development and
	Tourism Office within the office of the governor on issues related
	to the border region;
	(6)  study and report on opportunities to improve trade
	across the international border; and
	(7)  make recommendations to the legislature about the
	establishment of infrastructure projects to assist multiple
	counties in the border region.
	Sec. 490D.006.  FUNDING. (a)  In addition to any amount
	appropriated by the legislature, the bureau may apply for and
	accept funds from the federal government or any other public or
	private entity to carry out the bureau's duties.
	(b)  The bureau or any member of the bureau's steering
	committee may also solicit and accept pledges, gifts, and
	endowments from private sources on the bureau's behalf.   The bureau
	shall actively seek gifts from businesses and organizations that
	represent businesses to support the bureau's functions.  A pledge,
	gift, or endowment solicited under this section must be consistent
	with the purposes of the bureau.
	Sec. 490D.007.  FACILITIES AND OTHER ASSISTANCE.  The
	institution of higher education that administers the bureau may
	provide facilities and services to further the purposes of the
	bureau.
	Sec. 490D.008.  DURATION.  Section 2110.008 does not apply
	to the bureau.
	SECTION 2.  (a)  In appointing the initial appointed members
	of the steering committee of the Bureau for Economic Development of
	the Border Region under Section 490D.002, Government Code, as added
	by this Act:
	(1)  the lieutenant governor shall appoint one member
	to serve a term expiring February 1, 2012;
	(2)  the speaker of the house of representatives shall
	appoint one member to serve a term expiring February 1, 2012; and
	(3)  the administration of the institution of higher
	education that administers the bureau shall appoint one member to
	serve a term expiring February 1, 2012, and two members to serve a
	term expiring February 1, 2013.
	(b)  As soon as practicable after the initial members of the
	steering committee of the Bureau for Economic Development of the
	Border Region have been appointed or designated under Section
	490D.002(b)(1), (2), (4), or (5), Government Code, as added by this
	Act, those initial members of the steering committee shall
	designate the institution of higher education as required by
	Section 490D.002, Government Code, as added by this Act.
	SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2011.