new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Commission established. new text end

new text begin The Minnesota Commission on New
Americans is established to identify the strengths of the immigrant community in
Minnesota. The commission shall identify the underutilized resources within the
immigrant community and make recommendations to the legislature and state agencies
to facilitate the full participation of immigrants in social, cultural, and economic life in
this state.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Membership. new text end

new text begin (a) The Minnesota Commission on New Americans consists
of ten members. The governor shall appoint two public members; the Subcommittee on
Committees of the Committee on Rules and Administration of the senate shall appoint
two public members and two senators, one from the majority party and one from the
minority party; and the speaker of the house of representatives shall appoint two public
members and two members of the house of representatives, one from the majority party
and one from the minority party.
new text end

new text begin (b) Public members must have experience in working with the immigrant
community, including training, special skills, and experience that would benefit the
commission, such as training and experience in business, management, economics, public
policy, legal affairs, and social work. Each of the legislative appointing authorities must
strive to appoint public members who are:
new text end

new text begin (1) a business executive or employer with policymaking or hiring authority,
including the owner, chief executive, or operating officer of a business in this state; or
new text end

new text begin (2) a representative of a private business with employment opportunities that reflect
the employment opportunities available within the state.
new text end

new text begin The legislative appointing authorities are encouraged to consult with business and
business trade organizations in the state.
new text end

new text begin The appointing authorities shall seek to collaborate with each other and with the councils
established in sections 3.9223, 3.9225, and 3.9226, to ensure that the public membership
of the commission is ethnically and geographically diverse and is reasonably balanced
by gender.
new text end

new text begin (c) Compensation and the filling of vacancies for appointed members are as provided
in section 15.0575. The appointments required under this subdivision must be completed
no later than September 1, 2007.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Organization. new text end

new text begin As soon as possible after the appointments under
subdivision 2 have been completed, the executive director of the Legislative Coordinating
Commission shall convene the first meeting of the commission. The members of the
commission shall select their chairperson at the first meeting.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Assistance. new text end

new text begin The Legislative Coordinating Commission shall provide the
administrative and clerical support services necessary for the operation of the Minnesota
Commission on New Americans.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Duties. new text end

new text begin The Minnesota Commission on New Americans shall study and
consider opportunities and issues for the immigrant community in this state, including:
new text end

new text begin (1) steps to eliminate underutilization of immigrants in the state's work force;
new text end

new text begin (2) the development of entrepreneurial and small business opportunities for
immigrants;
new text end

new text begin (3) the use of the immigrant community to enhance and expand state trade relations
with other countries;
new text end

new text begin (4) improving the opportunity for the study of English as a second language;
new text end

new text begin (5) improving the efficient use of existing state and nonprofit programs and services;
new text end

new text begin (6) other appropriate steps to improve the economic and social condition of
immigrants in this state; and
new text end

new text begin (7) integration into civic life.
new text end

new text begin By December 1, 2008, the commission shall report to the chairs of the legislative
committees and divisions with jurisdiction over issues affecting immigrants. The
report must include a discussion of the items listed in this subdivision together with
recommendations for state agencies and the legislature, including any proposed legislation
necessary to accomplish the recommendations. The executive director of the Legislative
Coordinating Commission shall ensure that copies of the report are available on the
Legislative Coordinating Commission's Web site.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 6. new text end

new text begin Expiration. new text end

new text begin This section expires on June 30, 2009.
new text end