SF 1081

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.
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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.
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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. The appointing authorities are encouraged to consult
with business and business trade organizations in the state and appoint public members
who include:
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new text begin (1) a business executive or employer with policy making or hiring authority,
including the owner, chief executive, or operating officer of a business in this state; or
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new text begin (2) a representative of a private business with employment opportunities that reflect
the employment opportunities available within the state.
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new text begin The appointing authorities shall seek to collaborate with each other and with the councils
established in Minnesota Statutes, 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.
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new text begin (c) Compensation and expenses for public members are as provided in Minnesota
Statutes, section 15.0575.
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new text begin (d) The appointments required under this subdivision must be completed no later
than September 1, 2007.
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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.
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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.
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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 to:
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new text begin (1) take steps to address the underutilization of the New American workforce in
the state's economy;
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new text begin (2) develop entrepreneurial and business opportunities to enhance and promote the
current and future economic endeavors of New Americans;
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new text begin (3) identify means to enhance and expand the state's trade relations with other
regions and countries through the relationship, language, and cultural assets of New
Americans; and
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new text begin (4) improve the economic and social condition of Minnesota's newest Americans
including, but not limited to, education for New American children and adults, access to
state and nonprofit programs and services, and integration into civic life in the state.
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.
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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