House File 2055
HOUSE FILE
BY FREEMAN, DANDEKAR, and
JACOBS
(COMPANION TO LSB 5647SS
BY LUNDBY)
Passed House, Date Passed Senate, Date
Vote: Ayes Nays Vote: Ayes Nays
Approved
A BILL FOR
1 An Act providing for the establishment of a commission on the
2 status of Iowans of Asian and Pacific Islander heritage within
3 the department of human rights.
4 BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:
5 TLSB 5647HH 80
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PAG LIN
1 1 Section 1. Sections 3 through 12 of this Act are enacted
1 2 as subchapter 11 of Code chapter 216A.
1 3 Sec. 2. Section 216A.1, Code 2003, is amended by adding
1 4 the following new subsection:
1 5 NEW SUBSECTION. 8. Division on the status of Iowans of
1 6 Asian and Pacific Islander heritage.
1 7 Sec. 3. NEW SECTION. 216A.151 DEFINITIONS.
1 8 For purposes of this subchapter, unless the context
1 9 otherwise requires:
1 10 1. "Administrator" means the administrator of the division
1 11 on the status of Iowans of Asian and Pacific Islander heritage
1 12 of the department of human rights.
1 13 2. "Asian and Pacific Islander" means an individual from
1 14 any of the countries of Asia or islands of the Pacific.
1 15 3. "Commission" means the commission on the status of
1 16 Iowans of Asian and Pacific Islander heritage.
1 17 4. "Division" means the division on the status of Iowans
1 18 of Asian and Pacific Islander heritage of the department of
1 19 human rights.
1 20 Sec. 4. NEW SECTION. 216A.152 ESTABLISHMENT.
1 21 A commission on the status of Iowans of Asian and Pacific
1 22 Islander heritage is established consisting of nine members
1 23 appointed by the governor, subject to confirmation by the
1 24 senate. Members shall be appointed representing every
1 25 geographical area of the state. The members of the commission
1 26 shall appoint one of the members to serve as chairperson of
1 27 the commission.
1 28 Sec. 5. NEW SECTION. 216A.153 TERM OF OFFICE.
1 29 Four of the members appointed to the initial commission
1 30 shall be designated by the governor to serve two=year terms,
1 31 and five shall be designated by the governor to serve four=
1 32 year terms. Succeeding appointments shall be for a term of
1 33 four years. Vacancies in the membership shall be filled for
1 34 the remainder of the term of the original appointment.
1 35 Sec. 6. NEW SECTION. 216A.154 MEETINGS OF THE
2 1 COMMISSION.
2 2 The commission shall meet at least four times each year,
2 3 and shall hold special meetings on the call of the
2 4 chairperson. The commission shall adopt rules pursuant to
2 5 chapter 17A as it deems necessary for the conduct of its
2 6 business. The members of the commission shall be reimbursed
2 7 for actual expenses while engaged in their official duties. A
2 8 member may also be eligible to receive compensation as
2 9 provided in section 7E.6.
2 10 Sec. 7. NEW SECTION. 216A.155 DUTIES.
2 11 The commission shall:
2 12 1. Advise the governor and the general assembly on issues
2 13 confronting Asian and Pacific Islander persons in this state,
2 14 including the unique problems of non=English=speaking
2 15 immigrants and refugees.
2 16 2. Advise the governor and the general assembly of
2 17 administrative and legislative changes necessary to ensure
2 18 Asian and Pacific Islander persons access to benefits and
2 19 services provided to people in this state.
2 20 3. Recommend to the governor and the general assembly any
2 21 revisions in the state's affirmative action program and other
2 22 steps necessary to eliminate underutilization of Asian and
2 23 Pacific Islander persons in the state's workforce.
2 24 4. Recommend legislation to the governor and the general
2 25 assembly designed to improve the economic and social condition
2 26 of Asian and Pacific Islander persons in this state.
2 27 5. Serve as a conduit to state government for
2 28 organizations of Asian and Pacific Islander persons in this
2 29 state.
2 30 6. Serve as a referral agency to assist Asian and Pacific
2 31 Islander persons in securing access to state agencies and
2 32 programs.
2 33 7. Serve as a liaison with federal, state, and local
2 34 governmental units, and private organizations on matters
2 35 relating to the Asian and Pacific Islander persons in this
3 1 state.
3 2 8. Perform or contract for the performance of studies
3 3 designed to suggest solutions to the problems of Asian and
3 4 Pacific Islander persons in the areas of education,
3 5 employment, human rights, health, housing, social welfare, and
3 6 other related areas.
3 7 9. Implement programs designed to solve the problems of
3 8 Asian and Pacific Islander persons when authorized by law.
3 9 10. Publicize the accomplishments of Asian and Pacific
3 10 Islander persons and their contributions to this state.
3 11 11. Work with other state and federal agencies and
3 12 organizations to develop small business opportunities and
3 13 promote economic development for Asian and Pacific Islander
3 14 persons.
3 15 12. Supervise development of an Asian and Pacific Islander
3 16 trade primer, outlining Asian and Pacific Islander customs,
3 17 cultural traditions, and business practices, including
3 18 language usage for use by Iowa's export community.
3 19 13. Cooperate with other state and federal agencies and
3 20 organizations to develop improved state trade relations with
3 21 Asian and Pacific Islander countries.
3 22 Sec. 8. NEW SECTION. 216A.156 REVIEW OF GRANT
3 23 APPLICATIONS AND BUDGET REQUESTS.
3 24 Before the submission of an application, state departments
3 25 and agencies shall consult with the commission concerning
3 26 applications for federal funding that will have its primary
3 27 effect on persons of Asian and Pacific Islander heritage in
3 28 Iowa. The commission shall advise the governor and the
3 29 director of revenue and finance concerning any state agency
3 30 budget request that will have its primary effect on persons of
3 31 Asian and Pacific Islander heritage in Iowa.
3 32 Sec. 9. NEW SECTION. 216A.157 ADDITIONAL AUTHORITY.
3 33 The commission may:
3 34 1. Enter into contracts, within the limit of funds made
3 35 available, with individuals, organizations, and institutions
4 1 for services.
4 2 2. Solicit and accept grants of moneys or property from
4 3 the federal government or any other source, and upon its own
4 4 order use this money, property, or other resources to perform
4 5 the duties of the commission.
4 6 Sec. 10. NEW SECTION. 216A.158 EMPLOYEES AND
4 7 RESPONSIBILITY.
4 8 The commission shall employ necessary employees. Pursuant
4 9 to section 216A.2, the commission shall have responsibility
4 10 for budgetary and personnel decisions for the commission and
4 11 division. The administrator shall administer programs and
4 12 policies as determined by the commission.
4 13 Sec. 11. NEW SECTION. 216A.159 STATE AGENCY ASSISTANCE.
4 14 On the request of the commission, state departments and
4 15 agencies shall supply the commission with advisory staff
4 16 services on matters relating to the jurisdiction of the
4 17 commission. The commission shall cooperate and coordinate its
4 18 activities with other state agencies to the highest possible
4 19 degree.
4 20 Sec. 12. NEW SECTION. 216A.160 ANNUAL REPORT.
4 21 Not later than February 1 of each year, the commission
4 22 shall file a report in an electronic format with the governor
4 23 and the general assembly of its activities for the previous
4 24 calendar year. With the report, the commission may submit any
4 25 recommendations pertaining to its activities and shall submit
4 26 recommendations for legislative consideration and other action
4 27 it deems necessary.
4 28 EXPLANATION
4 29 This bill establishes a division on the status of Iowans of
4 30 Asian and Pacific Islander heritage within the department of
4 31 human rights. The commission on the status of Iowans of Asian
4 32 and Pacific Islander heritage is also created. The commission
4 33 consists of nine members, appointed by the governor and
4 34 subject to senate confirmation. Duties of the commission are
4 35 specified.
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