CHAPTER 28. COMMISSION ON HISPANIC/LATINO AFFAIRS
IC 4-23-28
Chapter 28. Commission on Hispanic/Latino Affairs
IC 4-23-28-1
"Commission"
Sec. 1. As used in this chapter, "commission" refers to the
commission on Hispanic/Latino affairs established by section 2 of
this chapter.
As added by P.L.247-2003, SEC.1.
IC 4-23-28-2
Establishment
Sec. 2. The commission on Hispanic/Latino affairs is established.
As added by P.L.247-2003, SEC.1.
IC 4-23-28-3
Duties; topics of study
Sec. 3. (a) The commission shall do the following:
(1) Identify and research issues affecting the Hispanic/Latino
communities.
(2) Promote cooperation and understanding between the
Hispanic/Latino communities and other communities
throughout Indiana.
(3) Report to the legislative council in an electronic format
under IC 5-14-6 and to the governor concerning
Hispanic/Latino issues, including the following:
(A) Conditions causing exclusion of Hispanics/Latinos from
the larger Indiana community.
(B) Measures to stimulate job skill training and related
workforce development.
(C) Measures to sustain cultural diversity while improving
race and ethnic relations.
(D) Public awareness of issues affecting the Hispanic/Latino
communities.
(E) Measures that could facilitate easier access to state and
local government services by Hispanics/Latinos.
(F) Challenges and opportunities arising out of the growth of
the Hispanic/Latino population.
(b) The commission may study other topics:
(1) as assigned by the governor;
(2) as assigned by the legislative council; or
(3) as directed by the commission's chairperson.
As added by P.L.247-2003, SEC.1. Amended by P.L.28-2004,
SEC.49.
IC 4-23-28-4
Members; removal; vacancy
Sec. 4. (a) The commission consists of twenty (20) members
appointed as follows:
(1) Two (2) members of the senate who may not be affiliated
with the same political party, to be appointed by the president
pro tempore of the senate.
(2) Two (2) members of the house of representatives who may
not be affiliated with the same political party, to be appointed
by the speaker of the house of representatives.
(3) Four (4) members of the Hispanic/Latino community who
are not members of the general assembly, to be appointed by the
president pro tempore of the senate.
(4) Four (4) members of the Hispanic/Latino community who
are not members of the general assembly, to be appointed by the
speaker of the house of representatives.
(5) The secretary of family and social services or a designee of
the secretary who is a Hispanic or Latino employee of the office
of the secretary of family and social services.
(6) The commissioner of the state department of health or a
designee of the commissioner who is a Hispanic or Latino
employee of the state department of health.
(7) The state superintendent of public instruction or a designee
of the superintendent who is a Hispanic or Latino employee of
the department of education.
(8) The commissioner of the department of correction or a
designee of the commissioner who is a Hispanic or Latino
employee of the department of correction.
(9) The director of the civil rights commission or a designee of
the director who is a Hispanic or Latino employee of the civil
rights commission.
(10) The lieutenant governor or a designee of the lieutenant
governor who is a Hispanic or Latino employee of the
lieutenant governor.
(11) A Hispanic or Latino business person, appointed by the
governor.
(12) The commissioner of workforce development or a designee
of the commissioner who is a Hispanic or Latino employee of
the department of workforce development, who shall serve as
an ex officio member of the commission.
In making their appointments under this section, the president pro
tempore of the senate and the speaker of the house of representatives
shall attempt to have the greatest possible number of counties
represented on the commission.
(b) If a legislative member of the commission ceases to be a
member of the chamber from which the member was appointed, the
member also ceases to be a member of the commission.
(c) A member of the commission may be removed at any time by
the appointing authority who appointed the member.
(d) If a vacancy on the commission occurs, the appointing
authority who appointed the former member whose position has
become vacant shall appoint an individual to fill the vacancy.
As added by P.L.247-2003, SEC.1. Amended by P.L.1-2006, SEC.84.
IC 4-23-28-5
Meetings; subcommittees
Sec. 5. (a) The commission shall meet on call of the chairperson
and at other times that the commission determines.
(b) The chairperson may designate subcommittees to meet
between commission meetings and report back to the full
commission.
As added by P.L.247-2003, SEC.1.
IC 4-23-28-6
Chairperson; vice chairperson
Sec. 6. (a) At the first meeting of the commission each year, the
members shall elect:
(1) one (1) member to be the commission's chairperson; and
(2) one (1) member to be the commission's vice chairperson.
(b) A vacancy in the office of chairperson or vice chairperson
shall be filled by a member of the commission selected by vote of the
remaining members. The term of office of a person chosen under this
subsection to fill a vacancy in the office of chairperson or vice
chairperson expires at the first meeting of the commission the
following year.
As added by P.L.247-2003, SEC.1.
IC 4-23-28-7
Support from department of workforce development; expenses
Sec. 7. (a) The department of workforce development shall
provide staff and administrative support to the commission.
(b) The expenses of the commission shall be paid from
appropriations made to the department of workforce development.
As added by P.L.247-2003, SEC.1.
IC 4-23-28-8
Majority vote required
Sec. 8. The affirmative votes of a majority of the members
appointed to the commission are required for the commission to take
action on any measure, including final reports.
As added by P.L.247-2003, SEC.1.
IC 4-23-28-9
Per diem; expenses
Sec. 9. (a) Each member of the commission who is not a state
employee is entitled to the minimum salary per diem provided by
IC 4-10-11-2.1(b). The member is also entitled to reimbursement for
traveling expenses as provided under IC 4-13-1-4 and other expenses
actually incurred in connection with the member's duties as provided
in the state policies and procedures established by the Indiana
department of administration and approved by the budget agency.
(b) Each member of the commission who is a state employee but
who is not a member of the general assembly is entitled to
reimbursement for traveling expenses as provided under IC 4-13-1-4
and other expenses actually incurred in connection with the member's
duties as provided in the state policies and procedures established by
the Indiana department of administration and approved by the budget
agency.
(c) Each member of the commission who is a member of the
general assembly is entitled to receive the same per diem, mileage,
and travel allowances paid to legislative members of interim study
committees established by the legislative council. Per diem, mileage,
and travel allowances paid under this subsection shall be paid from
appropriations made to the legislative council or the legislative
services agency.
As added by P.L.247-2003, SEC.1.
IC 4-23-28-10
Funding
Sec. 10. (a) Funding for the commission shall be derived from
funds appropriated to the department of workforce development.
(b) If money is appropriated under subsection (a), the money does
not revert to the state general fund at the end of a state fiscal year but
remains available to the department of workforce development until
the purpose for which it was appropriated is fulfilled.
As added by P.L.247-2003, SEC.1.
IC 4-23-28-11
Special fund established
Sec. 11. (a) The commission on Hispanic/Latino affairs special
fund is established to provide money for special projects of the
commission.
(b) The fund shall be administered by the treasurer of state.
(c) Expenses of administering the fund shall be paid from money
in the fund.
(d) The fund consists of gifts, contributions, and money donated
to the commission.
(e) The treasurer of state shall invest the money in the fund not
currently needed to meet the obligations of the fund in the same
manner as other public funds may be invested.
(f) Interest accrues to the fund.
(g) Money in the fund at the end of a state fiscal year does not
revert to the state general fund.
(h) Money in the fund is appropriated continuously for the
purpose stated in subsection (a).
As added by P.L.247-2003, SEC.1.