2000 SESSION

00-2547

08/01

HOUSE BILL 1609

COMMITTEE: Executive Departments and Administration

ANALYSIS

This bill establishes a commission to study issues of cultural diversity, immigration, and English as a second language in New Hampshire.

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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.

Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]

Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

00-2547

08/01

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand

Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:

1 New Chapter; Commission on Cultural Diversity and Immigration. Amend RSA by inserting after chapter 19-H the following new chapter:

CHAPTER 19-I

COMMISSION ON CULTURAL DIVERSITY AND IMMIGRATION

19-I:1 Commission Established. There is established a commission on cultural diversity and immigration, hereinafter called the commission.

19-I:2 Membership. The commission shall consist of the following members:

I. The governor, or designee.

II. The commissioner of education, or designee.

III. The commissioner of health and human services, or designee.

IV. The commissioner of resources and economic development, or designee.

V. The executive director of the human rights commission, or designee.

VI. The following members of the house of representatives, appointed by the speaker of the house:

(a) One member of the children and family law committee;

(b) One member of the education committee;

(c) One member of the health, human services and elderly affairs committee;

(d) One member of the resources, recreation and development committee.

VII. The following members of the senate, appointed by the senate president:

(a) One member of the economic development committee;

(b) One member of the education committee;

(c) One member of the public institutions, health and human services committee.

VIII. Twelve members of diverse cultural populations appointed by governor and council, with emphasis on those that have a high number of recent immigrants to the state, including 2 members from hispanic communities, 2 members from african-american communities, and 2 members from asian-american communities.

19-I:3 Terms. The executive and legislative members shall be ex officio members. The community representative members shall serve 3-year terms, and shall be limited to 2 consecutive terms. If a vacancy on the commission occurs among the community representative members, the governor and council shall appoint a new member to fill the vacancy for the remainder of the term.

19-I:4 Compensation. The members of the commission shall receive no compensation but legislative members shall be entitled to reimbursement for mileage at the legislative rate and executive members and community representatives shall be entitled to reimbursement for mileage at the same rate provided for state employees.

19-I:5 Officers. The governor and council shall designate the chairperson, vice-chairperson, secretary, and treasurer of the commission.

19-I:6 Duties. The duties of the commission shall be as follows:

I. Study issues of cultural diversity, English as a second language, and immigration patterns in the state, with particular focus on the changing economic and educational needs of the diverse cultures in the state.

II. Recommend methods to improve literacy in English and economic and educational opportunities for communities with a high recent immigrant population.

19-I:7 Report. The commission shall submit an annual report of its activities and findings to the governor and council, the speaker of the house of representatives, the senate president, and the secretary of state by December 1 of each year. The report shall include any recommendations the commission approves for legislation.

19-I:8 Cooperation. The commission shall cooperate with any state or federal agency or any private organization in conducting investigations and studies in the areas of cultural diversity, English as a second language, and immigration.

19-I:9 Authority to Accept Gifts. The commission may accept any gifts, donations, or grants from any source whatsoever provided such gifts, donations, or grants so received shall be used exclusively in the furtherance of the duties of the commission.

19-I:10 Records. The commission shall file and keep its records in the offices of the secretary of state.

19-I:11 Administratively Attached. The commission shall be administratively attached to the office of the secretary of state.

2 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.