Section 3.9223 Council on Affairs of Chicano/latino People
3.9223 COUNCIL ON AFFAIRS OF CHICANO/LATINO PEOPLE.
Subdivision 1.Membership.
The state Council on Affairs of Chicano/Latino People consists of 11 members appointed by the governor, including eight members representing each of the state's congressional districts and three members appointed at large. The demographic composition of the council members must accurately reflect the demographic composition of Minnesota's Chicano/Latino community, including migrant workers, as determined by the state demographer. Membership, terms, compensation, removal of members, and filling of vacancies are as provided in section 15.0575. Because the council performs functions that are not purely advisory, the council is not subject to the expiration date in section 15.059. Two members of the house of representatives appointed by the speaker and two members of the senate appointed by the Subcommittee on Committees of the Committee on Rules and Administration shall serve as nonvoting members of the council. The council shall annually elect from its membership a chair and other officers it deems necessary.
Subd. 2.Chicano/Latino people.
For purposes of subdivisions 3 to 7, the term "Chicano/Latino person" means a person who was born in, or whose ancestors are from, Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Peru, Panama, Paraguay, Puerto Rico, Uruguay, or Venezuela.
Subd. 3.Duties.
The council shall:
(1) advise the governor and the legislature on the nature of the issues confronting Chicano/Latino people in this state, including the unique problems encountered by Chicano/Latino migrant agricultural workers;
(2) advise the governor and the legislature on statutes or rules necessary to ensure Chicano/Latino people access to benefits and services provided to people in this state;
(3) recommend to the governor and the legislature legislation to improve the economic and social condition of Chicano/Latino people in this state;
(4) serve as a conduit to state government for organizations of Chicano/Latino people in the state;
(5) serve as a referral agency to assist Chicano/Latino people to secure access to state agencies and programs;
(6) serve as a liaison with the federal government, local government units, and private organizations on matters relating to the Chicano/Latino people of this state;
(7) perform or contract for the performance of studies designed to suggest solutions to problems of Chicano/Latino people in the areas of education, employment, human rights, health, housing, social welfare, and other related programs;
(8) implement programs designed to solve problems of Chicano/Latino people when authorized by other statute, rule, or order; and
(9) publicize the accomplishments of Chicano/Latino people and their contributions to this state.
Subd. 4.Review and recommendation authority.
All applications for the receipt of federal money and proposed rules of a state agency that will have their primary effect on Chicano/Latino people must be submitted to the council for review and recommendation at least 15 days before submission to a federal agency or initial publication in the State Register.
Subd. 5.Powers.
The council may contract in its own name. Contracts must be approved by a majority of the members of the council and executed by the chair and the executive director. The council may apply for, receive, and expend in its own name grants and gifts of money consistent with the power and duties specified in this section.
The council shall appoint an executive director who is experienced in administrative activities and familiar with the problems and needs of Chicano/Latino people. The council may delegate to the executive director powers and duties under this section that do not require council approval. The executive director and council staff serve in the unclassified service. The executive director may be removed at any time by a majority vote of the entire council. The executive director shall recommend to the council the appropriate staffing necessary to carry out its duties. The commissioner of administration shall provide the council with necessary administrative services.
Subd. 6.State agency assistance.
Other state agencies shall supply the council upon request with advisory staff services on matters relating to the jurisdiction of the council. The council shall cooperate and coordinate its activities with other state agencies to the highest possible degree.
Subd. 7.Report.
The council shall prepare and distribute a report to the governor and legislature by November 15 of each even-numbered year. The report shall summarize the activities of the council since its last report, list receipts and expenditures, identify the major problems and issues confronting Chicano/Latino people, and list the specific objectives that the council seeks to attain during the next biennium.
History:
1978 c 510 s 1-7; 1981 c 356 s 374,375; 1983 c 260 s 2; 1983 c 305 s 2; 1Sp1985 c 13 s 67; 1986 c 444; 1988 c 469 art 1 s 1; 1988 c 629 s 3; 1988 c 686 art 1 s 33; 1988 c 689 art 2 s 2; 1991 c 292 art 3 s 3; 1996 c 420 s 3