Bill

SB 459

84(R) - 2015
Senate Business & Commerce
Senate Business & Commerce
Business, Industry, & Commerce
Governor  

Companion Bill

HB 1543

Vote Recommendation

No
  • Neutral
  • Neutral
  • Neutral
  • Negative
  • Neutral

Author(s)

Eddie Lucio Jr.

Bill Caption

Relating to the creation of the Advisory Council on Cultural Affairs in the office of the governor.

Fiscal Notes

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

Bill Analysis

SB 459 would establish the Advisory Council on Cultural Affairs (ACCA), which would operate in the office of the governor. The stated purpose of this council would be to advise the governor’s office “on furthering the economic, social, legal, and political contributions and equality of the Hispanic population of this state.”

Nine members would make up the council:

  • One member would be a representative appointed by the speaker of the house;
  • One member would be a senator appointed by the lieutenant governor;
  • Seven members would be appointed by the governor.

Members appointed by lieutenant governor and speaker of the house would serve two-year terms, while the members appointed by the governor would serve four-year terms. These appointments would have to represent all areas of the state.

This legislation would prohibit members from receiving compensation or reimbursement while performing their duties for the ACCA.   

SB 459 specifies the duties of the ACCA. Most of these duties would include reviewing and recommending policies on a broad range of topics that affect the Hispanic community.   

Lastly, the ACCA would be required to submit a report on a biennial basis that would include status and funding updates for programs aimed at addressing the needs of the Hispanic population. Most importantly, members must make recommendations in the report regarding changes in policy or reforms.  This report must be submitted to the governor, speaker of the house, and the lieutenant governor.  

Vote Recommendation Notes

Although SB 459 would place the ACCA in an advisory role with no real authority, we still oppose this legislation on limited government grounds.

A basic tenant of our limited government principle is that the government treats all citizens equally under the law. This bill would single out a particular group for special treatment based on ethnic background. Additionally, this council’s only focus would be to find ways of benefiting that one group. While the council itself would not be able to appropriate money for the benefit of one favored group, recommendations made be the council would almost certainly serve as the basis for future legislation to do so. This legislation runs counter to the purposes of government and for this reason we oppose SB 459. 

As a final note, while the council members would serve unpaid, the creation of a council is not without cost. This would necessitate time and effort from staff members in the office of the governor to coordinate and facilitate meetings and events for the advisory council. This would add an extra burden to those staff members beyond their normal duties.