SENATE BILL REPORT

                           SHB 1948

      AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS,

                        MARCH 31, 1993

Brief Description:  Modifying provisions regarding the state commission on Hispanic affairs.

SPONSORS: House Committee on State Government (originally sponsored by Representatives Bray, Ludwig, Rayburn and Grant)

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON STATE GOVERNMENT

SENATE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended. 

     Signed by Senators Haugen, Chairman; Drew, Vice Chairman; Loveland, Owen, von Reichbauer, and Winsley.

Staff:  Barbara Howard (786‑7410)

Hearing Dates: March 26, 1993; March 31, 1993

BACKGROUND:

In 1971, the Legislature established the Mexican-American Affairs Commission to address the unique and special problems of Mexican-American and Spanish speaking populations.  In 1987, the Legislature changed the name of the commission to the Commission on Hispanic Affairs, membership was diversified to include Hispanics who are not of Mexican-American origin, and provisions were added to sunset the commission in 1997.

The commission is currently directed to:  advise state agencies on actions to be taken to assure that state programs are providing the assistance needed by Hispanics; advise state agencies on the development and implementation of policies, plans, and programs focusing on the special problems and needs of Hispanics; and receive technical assistance from an interagency advisory council on Hispanic affairs.

The commission includes 11 members of Hispanic origin as follows:  (1) two agricultural workers; (2) three Hispanics not of Mexican-American origin; (3) one member from the field of education; (4) one member who is a business, governmental, or public service professional; (5) one trade union official; (6) and three members of the Mexican-American community.  There is no limit on the number of terms a member may serve.

SUMMARY:

To the extent practicable, appointments to the Commission on Hispanic Affairs are made to achieve a balanced representation based on population distribution, geographic considerations, sex, age, and occupation.  Specific national origin and occupational membership categories are deleted.  No member will serve more than two consecutive terms.

The duties of the Commission on Hispanic Affairs are expanded to include:  making recommendations to the Governor and state agencies on needed changes in laws and policies; advising the Legislature; establishing relationships with the private sector and local governments to promote equal opportunity; and receiving and spending gifts, grants, and endowments.  The interagency advisory council is repealed.

The sunset date for the commission is extended from 1997 to 2021.

SUMMARY OF PROPOSED SENATE AMENDMENT:

The only changes in the striking amendment are that the executive director is appointed by the Governor on the recommendations of the commission; the director's salary is also set by the Governor.  The director appoints staff and administers the operations of the commission.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  available

TESTIMONY FOR:

We believe that the new mission statement more accurately reflects the needs of the Hispanic community in the state.  In addition, we believe that the Governor should not be bound by statute to a specific mix of representation in the commission membership.

TESTIMONY AGAINST:  None

TESTIFIED:  Representative Bray, original prime sponsor (pro); Oscar Cerna (pro)