SECOND REGULAR SESSION
HOUSE BILL NO. 2098
91ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY
INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE WALTON.
Read 1st time March 5, 2002, and 1000 copies ordered printed.
TED WEDEL, Chief Clerk
AN ACT
To amend chapter 160, RSMo, by adding thereto six new sections relating to African-American education.
Section A. Chapter 160, RSMo, is amended by adding thereto six new sections, to be known as sections 160.900, 160.903, 160.906, 160.909, 160.912, and 160.915, to read as follows:
160.900. There is hereby established the "Missouri Commission on African-American Education" to be located jointly within the department of elementary and secondary education and department of higher education. The commission shall consist of eighteen members whose members shall be selected as follows:
(1) Two state senators, one appointed by the president pro tempore of the senate and one appointed by the minority floor leader of the senate;
(2) Two state representatives, one appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives and one appointed by the minority floor leader of the house of representatives;
(3) One member from the department of elementary and secondary education appointed by the commissioner of education;
(4) One member from the department of higher education appointed by the commissioner of higher education; and
(5) Twelve members of the general public to be appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the senate. These members shall be residents of the state of Missouri, and the governor shall give due regard to broad geographic representation. These members shall have served prominently as spokespersons for, or as leaders of organizations which serve members of, religious, ethnic, national heritage, or social groups representative of African-American culture, or shall be residents who are experienced in the field of African-American history or education.
160.903. 1. Each member of the commission shall serve for a term of two years, and shall be eligible for reappointment. Each member shall serve until his or her successor is appointed and qualified, and the expiration of the term of that incumbent. Any vacancy occurring other than by expiration of term shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment but for the unexpired term only.
2. The members of the commission shall serve without compensation, but shall be reimbursed for any actual and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties as members of the commission.
160.906. 1. The commission shall have a chairperson appointed by the governor for a two-year term. The commission shall meet upon the call of the chairperson or of a majority of the members of the commission. The presence of a majority of the authorized membership of the commission shall be required for the conduct of official business.
2. The commission shall, by a plurality of votes, appoint an executive director, who shall serve at its pleasure and shall be a person qualified by training and experience to perform the duties of the office.
160.909. The commission shall have the following responsibilities and duties:
(1) To provide, based upon the collective knowledge and experience of its members, assistance and advice to the public schools and public institutions of higher education with respect to the implementation of African-American education and awareness programs;
(2) To meet with appropriate education officials and other interested public and private organizations, including service organizations, for the purpose of assisting with the planning, coordination, or modification of courses of study dealing with the subjects of African-American culture and history;
(3) To survey and catalog the extent and breadth of African-American education presently being incorporated into the curricula and taught in the education systems of the state, to inventory those African-American memorials, exhibits, and resources which could be incorporated in courses of study at various locations and other educational agencies in the development and implementation of African-American education programs. In furtherance of this responsibility, the commission shall be authorized to contact and cooperate with existing African-American public or private nonprofit resource organizations and may act as a liaison concerning African-American education to members of the United States Senate and House of Representatives, and the Missouri senate and house of representatives;
(4) To compile a roster of individual volunteers who are willing to share their knowledge and experience in classrooms, seminars, and workshops on the subject of African-American culture or history. These volunteers may be scholars, clergymen, community relations professionals, and other persons who, by virtue of their experience or interest, have acquired personal or academic knowledge of African-American culture or history;
(5) To coordinate events memorializing significant events in African-American history and to seek volunteers who are willing and able to participate in commemorative events that will enhance public awareness of the significance of such events; and
(6) To prepare reports for the governor and the general assembly regarding its findings and recommendations to facilitate the inclusion of African-American education and special programs emphasizing African-American culture and history in educational systems in the state.
160.912. 1. The commission is authorized to call upon any department, division, or agency of the state to supply such data, program reports, and other information, personnel, and assistance as it deems necessary to discharge its responsibilities pursuant to sections 160.900 to 160.915.
2. These departments, divisions, or agencies of the state shall, to the extent possible and not inconsistent with any other law of this state, cooperate with the commission and shall furnish the commission with such information, personnel, and assistance as may be necessary or helpful to accomplish the commission's responsibilities pursuant to sections 160.900 to 160.915.
160.915. 1. There is hereby created in the state treasury the "Missouri Commission on African-American Education Fund", which shall consist of any moneys appropriated, granted, or donated for the furtherance of the purposes stated in sections 160.900 to 160.912. The fund shall be administered jointly by the department of elementary and secondary education and department of higher education. Upon appropriation, moneys in the fund shall be used solely for the administration of sections 160.900 to 160.912.
2. Notwithstanding the provisions of section 33.080, RSMo, to the contrary, any moneys remaining in the fund at the
end of the biennium shall not revert to the credit of the general revenue fund.
Missouri House of Representatives