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LEGISLATURE OF NEBRASKA
ONE HUNDRED EIGHTH LEGISLATURE
FIRST SESSION
LEGISLATIVE BILL 2
Introduced by Sanders, 45.
Read first time January 05, 2023
Committee: Government, Military and Veterans Affairs
1 A BILL FOR AN ACT relating to government; to create the Commission on
2 Asian American Affairs.
3 Be it enacted by the people of the State of Nebraska,
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1 Section 1. (1) There is hereby established the Commission on Asian
2 American Affairs. For purposes of sections 1 to 7 of this act, commission
3 means the Commission on Asian American Affairs.
4 (2) The commission shall consist of fourteen members who shall be of
5 Asian ancestry. Members of the commission shall be appointed by the
6 Governor. The commission may have such nonvoting, ex officio members as
7 shall be appointed by the commission and who need not be of Asian
8 ancestry. The commission shall elect one of its members as chairperson.
9 (3) Members of the commission shall serve four-year terms or for the
10 unexpired term in the event of a vacancy. As the terms of the voting
11 members expire, their successors shall be appointed by the Governor from
12 a panel of nominees submitted by the public. An appointment for an
13 unexpired term shall follow the same procedure as for initial and
14 subsequent appointments. Voting members shall be eligible for
15 reappointment.
16 Sec. 2. The purpose of the commission is to join representatives of
17 Asian Americans in Nebraska to do all things which the commission may
18 determine to enhance the cause of Asian American rights and to develop
19 solutions to problems common to all Asian Americans residing in Nebraska.
20 Sec. 3. The commission may receive and administer funds from state,
21 federal, and other sources and may employ and fix the compensation of an
22 executive director of its own choosing who shall be an Asian American
23 person and a legal resident of the State of Nebraska. An office for the
24 executive director shall be provided.
25 Sec. 4. The functions of the commission are to:
26 (1) Promote state and federal legislation beneficial to the Asian
27 American community in Nebraska;
28 (2) Coordinate programs relating to the Asian American community in
29 Nebraska regarding housing, education, welfare, medical and dental care,
30 employment, economic development, law and order, and related problems;
31 (3) Work with other state and federal government agencies and
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1 federal and state elected officials in the development of programs in the
2 areas described in subdivision (2) of this section;
3 (4) Keep the Governor's office apprised of the status of affairs in
4 the Asian American community in Nebraska;
5 (5) Administer sections 1 to 7 of this act;
6 (6) Provide the public with information and education relevant to
7 Asian American affairs in Nebraska; and
8 (7) Develop programs to encourage the total involvement of Asian
9 American people in activities for the common benefit of the Asian
10 American community.
11 Sec. 5. The members of the commission shall each receive fifty
12 dollars for each day spent in the performance of their duties and shall
13 receive reimbursement for any expenses as provided in sections 81-1174 to
14 81-1177.
15 Sec. 6. (1) The commission shall meet at least once every calendar
16 quarter. Meetings shall be held in January, April, July, and October.
17 Special meetings may be called at the request of eight voting members.
18 Eight voting members of the commission shall constitute a quorum for the
19 transaction of business.
20 (2) The office of any member of the commission who, without a valid
21 excuse, fails to attend quarterly or special meetings shall be vacant.
22 Sec. 7. (1) For purposes of administration of the commission during
23 the interim between regular quarterly meetings, there is hereby
24 established an executive board of the Commission on Asian American
25 Affairs consisting of the chairperson of the commission and four members
26 of the commission.
27 (2) The executive board may enter into contracts for consultation
28 services, supplies, and equipment, if the amount contracted for does not
29 exceed two thousand dollars in any one contract, and may supervise all
30 programs relating to the affairs of Asian American people residing in
31 Nebraska instituted and authorized by the commission.
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