HBA-DMD H.B. 564 76(R) BILL ANALYSIS Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 564 By: Oliveira State, Federal, & International Relations 2/11/1999 Introduced BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Currently, Mexico is Texas's number one trading partner and the two countries have certain mutual interests such as agriculture, transportation, commerce, and public health. H.B. 564 creates a border advocacy division in the governor's office to examine NAFTA related issues and other issues of common concerns to Texas and Mexico. 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 Chapter 772, Government Code, by adding Section 772.010, as follows: Sec. 772.010. BORDER ADVOCACY DIVISION. (a) Requires the governor to create a border advocacy division (division) in the governor's office that will do the following: (1) examine trade issues between the United States, Mexico, and Canada; (2) act as an ombudsman to reduce regulations for government agencies within the Texas and Mexico border region by improving communication and cooperation between federal, state, and local governments; (3) work with federal officials on transportation issues involving infrastructure, including roads and bridges, to resolve transportation issues in order to allow for efficient movement of goods and people across the border between Texas and Mexico; (4) create a unified federal agency process to streamline border crossing needs by working jointly with federal officials; (5) assist in the financing of water and wastewater facilities by increasing funds to the North American Development Bank; and (6) explore the sale of excess electric power from Texas to Mexico. (b) Requires the governor to appoint a director for the division to serve at the will of the governor and authorizes the governor to appoint the secretary of state as the director. SECTION 2. Emergency clause. Effective date: upon passage.