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PAG LIN
1 1 Section 1. Sections 2 through 10 of this Act shall be
1 2 enacted as subchapter 8 of chapter 216A.
1 3 Sec. 2. NEW SECTION. 216A.121 DEFINITIONS.
1 4 For purposes of this subchapter, unless the context
1 5 otherwise requires:
1 6 1. "Administrator" means the administrator of the division
1 7 of Asian-Pacific persons of the department of human rights.
1 8 2. "Asian-Pacific person" means a person from any of the
1 9 countries of Asia or the Pacific islands.
1 10 3. "Commission" means the commission of Asian-Pacific
1 11 persons.
1 12 4. "Division" means the division of Asian-Pacific persons
1 13 of the department of human rights.
1 14 Sec. 3. NEW SECTION. 216A.122 ESTABLISHMENT.
1 15 A commission of Asian-Pacific persons is established
1 16 consisting of nine members appointed by the governor, and
1 17 confirmed by the senate, pursuant to chapter 69, to four-year
1 18 staggered terms. Vacancies in the membership shall be filled
1 19 for the unexpired term in the same manner as the original
1 20 appointment. The members of the commission shall select one
1 21 of the members to serve as chairperson of the commission.
1 22 Sec. 4. NEW SECTION. 216A.123 MEETINGS OF THE
1 23 COMMISSION.
1 24 The commission shall meet at least four times each year,
1 25 and shall hold special meetings on the call of the
1 26 chairperson. The commission shall adopt rules pursuant to
1 27 chapter 17A as it deems necessary for the commission and
1 28 division. The members of the commission shall be reimbursed
1 29 for actual expenses while engaged in their official duties. A
1 30 member may also be eligible to receive compensation as
1 31 provided in section 7E.6.
1 32 Sec. 5. NEW SECTION. 216A.124 DUTIES.
1 33 The commission shall do all of the following:
1 34 1. Advise the governor and the general assembly on issues
1 35 confronting Asian-Pacific persons in this state, including the
2 1 unique problems of non-English-speaking immigrants and
2 2 refugees.
2 3 2. Advise the governor and the general assembly of
2 4 administrative and legislative changes necessary to ensure
2 5 Asian-Pacific persons access to benefits and services provided
2 6 to people in this state.
2 7 3. Recommend to the governor and the general assembly any
2 8 revisions in the state's affirmative action program and other
2 9 steps necessary to eliminate underutilization of Asian-Pacific
2 10 persons in the state's work force.
2 11 4. Recommend to the governor and the general assembly
2 12 legislation intended to improve the economic and social
2 13 condition of Asian-Pacific persons in this state.
2 14 5. Serve as a conduit to state government for
2 15 organizations of Asian-Pacific persons in this state.
2 16 6. Serve as a referral agency to assist Asian-Pacific
2 17 persons in securing access to state agencies and programs.
2 18 7. Serve as a liaison with the federal government, local
2 19 government units, and private organizations on matters
2 20 relating to the Asian-Pacific persons of this state.
2 21 8. Perform or contract for the performance of studies
2 22 designed to suggest solutions to the problems of Asian-Pacific
2 23 persons in the areas of education, employment, human rights,
2 24 health, housing, social welfare, and other related areas.
2 25 9. Implement programs designed to solve the problems of
2 26 Asian-Pacific persons when authorized by law.
2 27 10. Publicize the accomplishments of Asian-Pacific persons
2 28 and their contributions to this state.
2 29 11. Work with other state and federal agencies and
2 30 organizations to develop small business opportunities and
2 31 promote economic development for Asian-Pacific persons.
2 32 12. Supervise development of an Asian-Pacific trade
2 33 primer, outlining Asian and Pacific customs, cultural
2 34 traditions, and business practices, including language usage
2 35 for use by Iowa's export community.
3 1 13. Cooperate with other state and federal agencies and
3 2 organizations to develop improved state trade relations with
3 3 Asian and Pacific countries.
3 4 Sec. 6. NEW SECTION. 216A.125 REVIEW OF GRANT
3 5 APPLICATIONS AND BUDGET REQUESTS.
3 6 State departments and agencies shall consult with the
3 7 commission concerning any applications for federal funding
3 8 that will have its primary effect on Asian-Pacific persons in
3 9 Iowa before development of the application. The commission
3 10 shall advise the governor and the director of revenue and
3 11 finance concerning any state agency request that will have its
3 12 primary effect on Asian-Pacific persons in Iowa.
3 13 Sec. 7. NEW SECTION. 216A.126 ADDITIONAL AUTHORITY.
3 14 The commission may:
3 15 1. Enter into contracts, within the limit of funds made
3 16 available, with individuals, organizations, and institutions
3 17 for services.
3 18 2. Accept grants of money or property from the federal
3 19 government or any other source, and may upon its own order use
3 20 this money, property, or other resources to accomplish the
3 21 duties of the commission.
3 22 Sec. 8. NEW SECTION. 216A.127 EMPLOYEES AND
3 23 RESPONSIBILITY.
3 24 The commission shall employ other necessary employees.
3 25 Pursuant to section 216A.2, the commission shall have
3 26 responsibility for budgetary and personnel decisions for the
3 27 commission and division. The administrator shall carry out
3 28 programs and policies as determined by the commission.
3 29 Sec. 9. NEW SECTION. 216A.128 STATE AGENCY ASSISTANCE.
3 30 On the request of the commission, state departments and
3 31 agencies shall supply the commission with advisory staff
3 32 services on matters relating to the jurisdiction of the
3 33 commission. The commission shall cooperate and coordinate its
3 34 activities with other state agencies to the highest possible
3 35 degree.
4 1 Sec. 10. NEW SECTION. 216A.129 ANNUAL REPORT.
4 2 Not later than February 1 of each year the commission shall
4 3 file a report with the governor and the general assembly of
4 4 its proceedings for the previous calendar year, and may submit
4 5 with the report such recommendations pertaining to its affairs
4 6 as the commission deems desirous, including recommendations
4 7 for legislative consideration and other action it deems
4 8 necessary.
4 9 Sec. 11. Section 216A.1, Code 1995, is amended by adding
4 10 the following new subsection:
4 11 NEW SUBSECTION. 8. Division of Asian-Pacific persons.
4 12 Sec. 12. INITIAL APPOINTMENTS. Four of the members
4 13 appointed to the initial commission shall be designated by the
4 14 governor to serve two-year terms, and five shall be designated
4 15 by the governor to serve four-year terms. Succeeding
4 16 appointments shall be for a term of four years.
4 17 EXPLANATION
4 18 This bill creates a division of Asian-Pacific persons
4 19 within the department of human rights. The commission of
4 20 Asian-Pacific persons is also created. The commission
4 21 consists of nine members, appointed by the governor and
4 22 confirmed by the senate. Duties of the commission are
4 23 specified.
4 24 LSB 2230SV 76
4 25 cl/jj/8.1
Text: SF00425 Text: SF00427 Text: SF00400 - SF00499 Text: SF Index Bills and Amendments: General Index Bill History: General Index
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