85R2570 LED-F     By: Howard H.B. No. 278       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to the establishment of the task force on asylum-seeking   children.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Chapter 403, Government Code, is amended by   adding Subchapter R to read as follows:   SUBCHAPTER R. TASK FORCE ON ASYLUM-SEEKING CHILDREN          Sec. 403.501.  DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter:                (1)  "Asylum-seeking child" means a minor fleeing   Central America who is seeking asylum in the United States and who   has been released into a community in this state by:                      (A)  the Office of Refugee Resettlement; or                      (B)  United States Customs and Border Protection   or United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement, pending an   immigration hearing.                (2)  "Task force" means the task force on   asylum-seeking children.          Sec. 403.502.  ESTABLISHMENT; PURPOSES.  The task force on   asylum-seeking children is established to:                (1)  study the humanitarian and fiscal impacts of the   presence of asylum-seeking children in this state related to:                      (A)  public education and school districts; and                      (B)  the provision of health and human services   and child protection; and                (2)  produce a report outlining the status of   asylum-seeking children in this state and distribute that report to   state and federal officials.          Sec. 403.503.  COMPOSITION. The task force is composed of   eight members to be appointed by the comptroller as follows:                (1)  one representative of a faith-based organization   providing direct services to asylum-seeking children in this state;                (2)  one representative of a community-based   organization providing direct services to asylum-seeking children   in this state;                (3)  one member who is a superintendent of a school   district providing direct services to asylum-seeking children in   this state;                (4)  one representative of a law enforcement agency;                (5)  one representative of the Texas Education Agency;                (6)  one representative of the Health and Human   Services Commission;                (7)  one representative of the comptroller; and                (8)  one representative of a foundation that invests in   humanitarian relief efforts for asylum-seeking children in this   state.          Sec. 403.504.  MEETINGS. (a) The task force shall meet in   person at least three times each year and may hold additional   meetings in person or by conference call if necessary.          (b)  Section 551.125 applies to a meeting held by conference   call under this section, except that Section 551.125(b) does not   apply.          Sec. 403.505.  COMPENSATION. A member of the task force may   not receive compensation for service on the task force.          Sec. 403.506.  REPORT. (a) Using funds available to the   task force under Section 403.507, the task force shall partner with   an independent third party to produce a report outlining the status   of asylum-seeking children in this state.          (b)  The task force shall submit the report to the governor,   lieutenant governor, speaker of the house of representatives, and   comptroller. The task force shall also submit the report to the   president of the United States, the secretary of the United States   Department of Health and Human Services, the secretary of the   United States Department of Education, and each member of the Texas   delegation to the United States Senate and House of   Representatives.          Sec. 403.507.  GIFTS, GRANTS, AND DONATIONS. The   comptroller may accept on behalf of the task force a gift, grant, or   donation from any source to carry out the purposes of this   subchapter. Notwithstanding any other provision of this   subchapter, the comptroller is not required to convene the task   force to produce the report if sufficient private gifts, grants, or   donations are not available.          Sec. 403.508.  EXPIRATION. The task force is abolished and   this subchapter expires December 31, 2018.          SECTION 2.  (a)  Not later than December 31, 2017, the   comptroller of public accounts shall, subject to Section 403.507,   Government Code, as added by this Act, convene the task force   required under Subchapter R, Chapter 403, Government Code, as added   by this Act.          (b)  If the comptroller of public accounts convenes the task   force under Subsection (a) of this section, not later than October   1, 2018, the task force shall submit the report required under   Subchapter R, Chapter 403, Government Code, as added by this Act.          SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives   a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as   provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this   Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this   Act takes effect September 1, 2017.