ASIAN PACIFIC AMERICAN AFFAIRS COMMISSION

House Bill 6172

Sponsor:  Rep. Hoon-Yung Hopgood

Committee:  New Economy and Quality of Life

Complete to 6-10-08

A SUMMARY OF HOUSE BILL 6172 AS INTRODUCED 5-22-08

House Bill 6172 would create an Office of Asian Pacific American Affairs, and a state interagency Council on Asian Pacific American Affairs within that office, as well as an Asian Pacific American Affairs Commission, all located within in the Michigan Department of Civil Rights.

Under the new act, the Office of Asian Pacific American Affairs would do the following:

·                    Provide the commission with information concerning the problems of Asian Pacific Americans and implement commission policy.

·                    Conduct studies and recommend solutions to the problems of Asian Pacific Americans in the areas of education, employment, civil rights, health, housing, senior citizens, mental health, social services, commerce, and other related areas.

·                    Recommend to federal, state, and local governmental departments and agencies the creation of services and facilities as the commission considers appropriate.

·                    Serve as a reporting agency for the collection and distribution of information concerning Asian Pacific American affairs.

·                    Apply for and accept grants and gifts from governmental and private sources.

·                    Request the services of all state and local governmental departments and agencies to assure that Asian Pacific Americans have access to decision-making bodies, the policies of which affect Asian Pacific Americans.

·                    Cooperate with departments and agencies to aid in effectuating the purposes of this act.

·                    Review the performance of state departments and agencies regarding the hiring and promotion of Asian Pacific Americans by state departments and agencies, and the provision of services to them by state departments and agencies.

·                    Review the curriculum programs, and policies of elementary, secondary, and post-secondary educational institutions regarding Asian Pacific Americans and the admission programs and policies of post-secondary educational institutions.

·                    Submit a full written report of its activities and recommendations each year to the governor, legislature, and various Asian Pacific American communities throughout Michigan.

A 15-member state interagency Council on Asian Pacific American Affairs would be created within the office.  The interagency council would coordinate and provide for the exchange of information on all programs relating to services for Asian Pacific American people.  The interagency council would also assist the office and commission in the development of an annual report which would be submitted to the governor, the legislature, and Asian Pacific American communities throughout the state.

The interagency Council would include the following leaders (or their designees):

The directors of the departments of Community Health, Human Services, Natural Resources, Agriculture, Civil Rights, Corrections, Management and Budget, Labor and Economic Growth; and also the executive director of the Women's Commission; the chair of the State Housing Development Authority; the Secretary of State; the Attorney General; the State Treasurer; the Superintendent of Public Instruction; and the State Personnel Director.

 

The Commission would do all of the following to advance the causes of Asian Pacific Americans located in Michigan:

o                   Stimulate and encourage the study and review of their status.

o                   Develop a unified policy and plan of action to serve their needs.

o                   Advise the Governor, the Legislature, and the new Office of Asian and Pacific American Affairs concerning the coordination and administration of state programs serving Asian Pacific Americans.

o                   Make recommendations to the Governor and the Legislature regarding changes in state programs, statutes, and polices.

o                   Advise the Governor and the Legislature of the nature, magnitude, and priorities of their problems.

o                   Review, and advise the Governor and the Legislature on, Michigan's policies concerning Asian Pacific American affairs.

o                   Secure appropriate recognition of Asian Pacific American accomplishments and contributions.

o                   Review and approve the annual report by the Office of Asian Pacific American Affairs.

o                   Make recommendations to the Governor and Legislature regarding methods of overcoming discrimination against Asian Pacific Americans in public and private employment and civil and political rights.

o                   Work to ensure equal access to all levels of education for Asian Pacific Americans.

o                   Cooperate with and coordinate activities with the Commission on Spanish-speaking Affairs, the Michigan Women's Commission, and any other commission that deals with minority or ethnic affairs.

o                   Monitor, evaluation, investigate, advocate, and initiative programs for the betterment of Asian Pacific Americans.

o                   Serve as a reporting agency for incidents of anti-Asian and anti-Pacific Islander American harassment.

o                   Promote public awareness of Asian and Pacific Islander cultures.

FISCAL IMPACT:

House Bill 6172 would create an Asian Pacific American Affairs Commission within the Department of Civil Rights.  According to the Department of Civil Rights, if creation of the commission is formed similar to the Michigan Women's Commission, there would be an estimated annual cost of $292,000.

                                                                                           Legislative Analyst:   J. Hunault

                                                                                                  Fiscal Analyst:   Kim O'Berry

■ This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan House staff for use by House members in their deliberations, and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.