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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the creation of the African American Family Commission. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter F, Chapter 401, Government Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 401.106 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 401.106. AFRICAN AMERICAN FAMILY COMMISSION. (a) In |
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this section, "commission" means the African American Family |
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Commission established under this section. |
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(b) The governor shall establish the African American |
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Family Commission in the office of the governor to improve and |
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expand existing policies, services, programs, and opportunities |
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for African American families. |
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(c) The commission shall: |
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(1) guide the efforts of and collaborate with state |
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agencies and the office of the governor in matters relating to |
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African American families; |
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(2) monitor and comment on existing and proposed |
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legislation and programs designed to address the needs of African |
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Americans in this state; |
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(3) assist state agencies in developing programs, |
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services, public policies, and research strategies that will expand |
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and enhance the social and economic well-being of African American |
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children and families; |
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(4) facilitate the participation and representation |
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of African Americans in the development, implementation, and |
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planning of policies, programs, and services; and |
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(5) promote research efforts to document the impact of |
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policies and programs on African American families. |
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(d) The commission is composed of seven members appointed by |
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the governor. The governor shall appoint members that reflect the |
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various regions of the state to ensure that the needs of African |
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American families and children throughout this state are |
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represented. Members serve staggered three-year terms, with the |
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terms of two or three members, as appropriate, expiring each year. |
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(e) The commission shall annually report on the |
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commission's progress toward the objectives described by |
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Subsection (c) to the governor and the members of the legislature. |
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(f) The commission may solicit and accept gifts, donations, |
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and grants of money from any public or private source to assist the |
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commission in fulfilling its duties under this section. |
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SECTION 2. In making the initial appointments to the |
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commission established under this Act, the governor shall appoint: |
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(1) two members to terms expiring February 1, 2020; |
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(2) two members to terms expiring February 1, 2021; |
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and |
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(3) three members to terms expiring February 1, 2022. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2019. |