SPANISH-SPEAKING AFFAIRS OFFICE - S.B. 109 (S-1): FIRST ANALYSIS
sans-serif">Senate Bill 109 (Substitute S-1 as passed by the Senate)
Committee: Local, Urban and State Affairs
RATIONALE
Public Act 164 of 1975 created the Commission on Spanish-Speaking Affairs and the Office of Spanish-Speaking Affairs within the Department of Management and Budget (DMB). The Commission and Office were transferred from the DMB to the Department of Civil Rights by a 1991 executive order. Executive Reorganization Order 2000-3 then transferred the Commission and the Office from the Department of Civil Rights to the Department of Career Development (DCD). Under Executive Order 2003-18, the DCD and the Department of Consumer and Industry Services were consolidated into one agency called the Department of Labor and Economic Growth (DLEG). It has been suggested that this organizational change should be reflected in the statute establishing the Commission and the Office.
CONTENT
The bill would amend Public Act 164 of 1975 to specify that the Commission on Spanish-Speaking Affairs and the Office of Spanish-Speaking Affairs would be established within the DLEG, rather than the DMB.
ARGUMENTS
(Please note: The arguments contained in this analysis originate from sources outside the Senate Fiscal Agency. The Senate Fiscal Agency neither supports nor opposes legislation.)
Supporting Argument
The Commission was created to develop policies and plans to serve the needs of Michigan’s Spanish-speaking people. Among the Commission’s duties are conducting studies and recommending solutions to the problems of Spanish speakers; making recommendations to the Federal, State, and local governments; serving as a clearinghouse for information on Spanish-speaking affairs; applying for grants; working to ensure that Spanish-speaking people have access to elected officials; and submitting an annual report of its activities to the Governor, the Legislature, and various Spanish-speaking communities. Though the Office and Commission have undergone several departmental transfers over the last few years, the law has not been changed. The bill would update the statute to reflect the current placement of the Office and Commission.
- Legislative Analyst: Julie Koval
FISCAL IMPACT
The bill would have no fiscal impact on State or local government.
- Fiscal Analyst: Maria TyszkiewiczA0304\s109a
This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.