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