HBA-MPA, MPM H.B. 55 76(R) BILL ANALYSIS Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 55 By: Cuellar State Affairs 2/4/1999 Introduced BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE The border region has special needs created by its proximity to the Mexican border, and also presents special economic development opportunities which can have an effect on the entire state. H.B. 55 creates the Border Economic Development Authority to address these special needs and opportunities. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Subtitle F, Title 4, Government Code, by adding Chapter 487, as follows: CHAPTER 487. BORDER ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY SUBCHAPTER A. GENERAL PROVISIONS Sec. 487.001. FINDINGS. Sets forth the legislative findings. Sec. 487.002. DEFINITIONS. Defines "authority," "commission," and "border region." Sec. 487.003. BORDER ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY. Creates the Border Economic Development Authority (authority) as a state agency. Sec. 487.004. SUNSET PROVISION. Provides that the authority is subject to Chapter 325, Government Code (Texas Sunset Act). Stipulates that unless the authority's existence is continued under Chapter 325, the authority is abolished and this chapter expires September 1, 2011. Sec. 487.005. BORDER ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY COMMISSION. Creates the Border Economic Development Authority Commission (commission) as the authority's governing body. Stipulates that the commission be composed of 12 persons appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the senate. Sets forth the entities represented by the commission. Stipulates that commission members serve a six-year, staggered term with one-third of the members' terms expiring February 1 of each oddnumbered year. Requires the governor to appoint a person, in the same manner as the original appointment, to serve the remainder of an unexpired term if there is a vacancy. Entitles commission members to travel reimbursement as provided by the General Appropriations Act, if the expense is related to commission business. Sec. 487.006. PRESIDING OFFICER; MEETINGS. Requires the governor to appoint a member of the commission to serve as presiding officer. Requires the commission to meet at the presiding officer's request. Sec. 487.007. DIVISIONS. Authorizes the commission to form one or more divisions within the authority to assist the authority in carrying out its duties. Sec. 487.008. PUBLIC AND PRIVATE FUNDS. (a) Requires the state agencies and institutions represented on the commission to pay the costs of the authority, including staff, equipment, supplies, and clerical and support services. (b) Authorizes the authority to seek and accept private and federal funding, staff and volunteers; United States Agency for International Development grants; and World Bank loans. (c) Authorizes the authority to use staff, equipment, supplies, and services of an agency represented on the commission in addition to other funding sources to carry out the powers and duties of the authority under this chapter. (d) Requires the disbursement of funds received by the authority to comply with the commission's disbursement policy, subject to state law and policies of state agencies and institutions represented on the commission. SUBCHAPTER B. POWERS AND DUTIES OF AUTHORITY Sec. 487.051. POWERS AND DUTIES RELATING TO PLANS AND OBJECTIVES. Requires the authority to develop and implement a specific plan of operation, timetable, and objectives. Authorizes the authority to develop a plan to address issues related to the border region. Sec. 487.052. IMPLEMENTATION OF PLAN. Authorizes the authority to take necessary action to implement a plan developed under Section 487.051. Sec. 487.053. REPORT. Requires the authority to provide a report to the governor and legislature, not later than January 15 of each odd-numbered year, summarizing its actions and progress during the preceding two years, and to make suggestions regarding any action the commission finds necessary. SECTION 2. Requires the governor, when making appointments to the commission, to designate four commission members each for terms to expire February 1, 2001; February 1, 2003; and February 1, 2005. Requires the authority to submit its first report under Section 487.053, Government Code, no later than January 15, 2001. SECTION 3. Emergency clause. Effective date: upon passage.