Ch. 44             1997 Session Laws of Kansas             143

An Act establishing the advisory commission on African-American affairs; composition

Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Kansas:

Section 1. There is hereby established the advisory commission on
African-American affairs hereinafter referred to as the advisory commis-
sion. The advisory commission shall be advisory to the secretary of human
resources.

Sec. 2. The advisory commission shall consist of seven members. The
membership of the advisory commission shall include: (a) One member
appointed by the president of the senate; (b) one member appointed by
the minority leader of the senate; (c) one member appointed by the
speaker of the house of representatives; (d) one member appointed by
the minority leader of the house of representatives; and (e) three mem-
bers appointed by the governor. No more than four members shall be
members of the same political party. Each congressional district in the
state of Kansas shall be represented on the advisory commission by at
least one member who is a resident of the district at the time of appoint-
ment. Appointing authorities shall consult each other to assure effectua-
tion of the foregoing requirement. A person appointed to fill a vacancy
which occurs prior to the expiration of a term shall be appointed for the
unexpired term. Each member of the commission shall be appointed for
a three-year term.

Sec. 3. (a) The advisory commission shall organize annually by the
election from its membership of a chairperson and a secretary. The ad-
visory commission may adopt such rules of procedure as the commission
deems necessary for the conduct of business.

(b) The advisory commission shall meet at least four times a year.
The chairperson may call additional meetings. A majority of members
shall constitute a quorum.

(c) Members of the advisory commission attending meetings of such

144             1997 Session Laws of Kansas             Ch. 44

commission shall be paid amounts provided in subsection (e) of K.S.A.
75-3223, and amendments thereto.

Sec. 4. (a) The advisory commission may appoint, subject to the ap-
proval of the secretary of human resources, an executive director who
shall be qualified by education and experience to assume the responsi-
bilities of such office.

(b) The executive director shall be the administrative officer of the
advisory commission and shall serve the advisory commission by gathering
information, disseminating findings of fact and other information, for-
warding proposals and evaluations to the secretary of human resources,
the governor, the legislature and various state agencies, carrying out pub-
lic education programs, conducting hearings and conferences and per-
forming other duties necessary for the proper operation of the advisory
commission.

Sec. 5. The advisory commission shall have the following functions,
powers and duties:

(a) Gather and disseminate information and conduct hearings, con-
ferences and special studies on problems and programs concerning Af-
rican-Americans;

(b) coordinate, assist and cooperate with the efforts of state
departments and agencies to serve the needs of African-Americans es-
pecially in the areas of culture, education, employment, health, housing,
welfare and recreation;

(c) develop, coordinate and assist other public and private associa-
tions and organizations with understanding the problems of African-
Americans;

(d) develop, coordinate and assist other public and private associa-
tions and organizations to provide services to African-Americans;

(e) propose new programs concerning African-Americans;

(f) evaluate existing programs and proposed legislation concerning
African-Americans;

(g) stimulate public awareness of the concerns and problems of Af-
rican-Americans by conducting a program of public education;

(h) conduct training programs for community leadership and service
project staff;

(i) accept contributions to assist in the effectuation of this section and
seek and enlist the cooperation of private, charitable, religious, labor, civic
and benevolent organizations for the purposes of this section;

(j) solicit, receive and expend federal funds to effectuate the purposes
of this act and enter into contracts and agreements with any federal
agency for such purposes; and

(k) establish advisory committees on special subjects.

Sec. 6. The executive director of the advisory commission may ap-
point, subject to the approval of the advisory commission and the secre-

Ch. 44             1997 Session Laws of Kansas             145

tary of human resources, technical advisors and assistants to develop,
assist and cooperate with local organizations and associations on Afri-
can-American concerns.

Sec. 7. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its
publication in the statute book.

Approved April 4, 1997.