SB411 By Senators Smitherman, Waggoner, Marsh, Ross, Dunn, Coleman-Madison, Beasley, Figures, Singleton and Dial RFD Governmental Affairs Rd 1 12-APR-16

SYNOPSIS: Currently the Governor's Office of Minority Affairs is created by an executive order. The office is managed by a Director of the Governor's Office of Minority Affairs. The Advisory Board of Minority Affairs is also established in the executive order.

This bill would establish the office by statute and would establish the position of director as a cabinet level position.

The bill would also create the Advisory Board on Minority Affairs.

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT

To create the Governor's Office of Minority Affairs; to provide for the position of Director of the Governor's Office of Minority Affairs as a cabinet level position; to provide for the appointment, service, and duties of the director; and to create the Advisory Board on Minority Affairs.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA:

Section 1. There is established the Governor's Office of Minority Affairs, to advise the Governor on issues affecting minorities, including women, focusing on the improvement of the overall quality of life of minorities, specifically in the areas of education, health, economics, political participation and empowerment, housing, employment, civil rights, criminal justice, and race relations.

Section 2. The office shall be managed by a Director of the Governor's Office of Minority Affairs, who shall be appointed by and serve at the pleasure of the Governor. The position of director shall be a Governor's cabinet position.

Section 3. (a) The director shall act as a liaison between minority communities and the Governor, with duties to do all of the following:

(1) Conduct community outreach throughout the state to assess and address issues facing women and minorities.

(2) Ensure that all women and minorities are better represented and receive equal access in areas such as business development, education, health care, housing, government services, and criminal justice matters.

(3) Encourage public debate on issues affecting Alabama minority populations, including open access to public services and fair and equitable implementation of public policy.

(4) Assess efforts by state agencies to assist women and minorities, promoting self-sufficiency through education and training.

(5) Collaborate with business and industry representatives, the Alabama Workforce Council, higher education stakeholders, and the Alabama Small Business Commission to facilitate identification of minority and women-owned businesses and to provide recommendations on how to better foster economic development opportunities for minority and women-owned businesses, with the goal of increasing the number of minority and women-owned businesses.

(6) Advise the Governor concerning the coordination and administration of state programs serving minority populations.

(7) Monitor existing legislation and programs designed to meet the needs of minorities.

(8) Research and analyze all areas affecting the quality of life of minorities.

(b) The director shall perform other duties affecting women and minorities, as assigned by the Governor.

Section 4. The Advisory Board on Minority Affairs is created to act as a resource for the director in an advisory capacity. The board shall be comprised of representatives from various racial and ethnic communities, female representation, state government officials, and experts in education and work force. The board shall be appointed by and serve at the pleasure of the Governor.

Section 5. This act shall become effective immediately following its passage and approval by the Governor, or its otherwise becoming law.

Governor

Minority Affairs, Office of

Minorities