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11  AN ACT establishing the advisory commission on African-American af-
12    fairs; composition thereof; election of officers; powers and duties.
13
14  Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Kansas:
15    Section 1.  There is hereby established the advisory commission on
16  African-American affairs hereinafter referred to as the advisory commis-
17  sion. The advisory commission shall be advisory to the secretary of human
18  resources.
19    Sec. 2.  The advisory commission shall consist of seven members. The
20  membership of the advisory commission shall include: (a) One member
21  appointed by the president of the senate; (b) one member appointed by
22  the minority leader of the senate; (c) one member appointed by the
23  speaker of the house of representatives; (d) one member appointed by
24  the minority leader of the house of representatives; and (e) three mem-
25  bers appointed by the governor. No more than four members shall be
26  members of the same political party. Each congressional district in the
27  state of Kansas shall be represented on the advisory commission by at
28  least one member who is a resident of the district at the time of appoint-
29  ment. Appointing authorities shall consult each other to assure effectua-
30  tion of the foregoing requirement. A person appointed to fill a vacancy
31  which occurs prior to the expiration of a term shall be appointed for the
32  unexpired term. Each member of the commission shall be appointed for
33  a three-year term.
34    Sec. 3.  (a) The advisory commission shall organize annually by the
35  election from its membership of a chairperson and a secretary. The ad-
36  visory commission may adopt such rules of procedure as the commission
37  deems necessary for the conduct of business.
38    (b)  The advisory commission shall meet at least four times a year.
39  The chairperson may call additional meetings. A majority of members
40  shall constitute a quorum.
41    (c)  Members of the advisory commission attending meetings of such
42  commission shall be paid amounts provided in subsection (e) of K.S.A.
43  75-3223, and amendments thereto.
HB 2444
                                     

 1    Sec. 4.  (a) The advisory commission may appoint, subject to the ap-
 2  proval of the secretary of human resources, an executive director who
 3  shall be qualified by education and experience to assume the responsi-
 4  bilities of such office.
 5    (b)  The executive director shall be the administrative officer of the
 6  advisory commission and shall serve the advisory commission by gathering
 7  information, disseminating findings of fact and other information, for-
 8  warding proposals and evaluations to the secretary of human resources,
 9  the governor, the legislature and various state agencies, carrying out pub-
10  lic education programs, conducting hearings and conferences and per-
11  forming other duties necessary for the proper operation of the advisory
12  commission.
13    Sec. 5.  The advisory commission shall have the following functions,
14  powers and duties:
15    (a)  Gather and disseminate information and conduct hearings, con-
16  ferences and special studies on problems and programs concerning Af-
17  rican-Americans;
18    (b)  coordinate, assist and cooperate with the efforts of state
19  departments and agencies to serve the needs of African-Americans es-
20  pecially in the areas of culture, education, employment, health, housing,
21  welfare and recreation;
22    (c)  develop, coordinate and assist other public and private associa-
23  tions and organizations with understanding the problems of African-
24  Americans;
25    (d)  develop, coordinate and assist other public and private associa-
26  tions and organizations to provide services to African-Americans;
27    (e)  propose new programs concerning African-Americans;
28    (f)  evaluate existing programs and proposed legislation concerning
29  African-Americans;
30    (g)  stimulate public awareness of the concerns and problems of Af-
31  rican-Americans by conducting a program of public education;
32    (h)  conduct training programs for community leadership and service
33  project staff;
34    (i)  accept contributions to assist in the effectuation of this section and
35  seek and enlist the cooperation of private, charitable, religious, labor, civic
36  and benevolent organizations for the purposes of this section;
37    (j)  solicit, receive and expend federal funds to effectuate the purposes
38  of this act and enter into contracts and agreements with any federal
39  agency for such purposes; and
40    (k)  establish advisory committees on special subjects.
41    Sec. 6.  The executive director of the advisory commission may ap-
42  point, subject to the approval of the advisory commission and the secre-
43  tary of human resources, technical advisors and assistants to develop,
HB 2444
                                     

 1  assist and cooperate with local organizations and associations on African-
 2  American concerns.
 3    Sec. 7.  This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its
 4  publication in the statute book.