BILL NUMBER: AB 3021	CHAPTERED  09/29/06

	CHAPTER  621
	FILED WITH SECRETARY OF STATE  SEPTEMBER 29, 2006
	APPROVED BY GOVERNOR  SEPTEMBER 29, 2006
	PASSED THE SENATE  AUGUST 17, 2006
	PASSED THE ASSEMBLY  MAY 31, 2006
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  APRIL 6, 2006

INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Nunez

                        FEBRUARY 24, 2006

   An act to add Chapter 8.1 (commencing with Section 8710) to
Division 1 of Title 2 of the Government Code, relating to
international relations.



	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 3021, Nunez  California-Mexico relations.
   (1) Existing law generally provides for programs administered by
various state agencies regarding issues of concern between California
and Mexico.
   This bill would set forth certain findings and declarations of the
Legislature in that regard.
   (2) Existing law establishes in state government the Office of
California-Mexico Affairs to further and develop favorable relations
with the State of Baja California, the State of Baja California Sur,
other Mexican states bordering on the United States, and the
remaining states and territories of the Republic of Mexico necessary
for the completion of the office's tasks.
   This bill would establish the California-Mexico Border Relations
Council to consist of specified state officials.  The bill would
require the council to, among other things, coordinate activities of
state agencies that are related to cross-border programs,
initiatives, projects, and partnerships that exist within state
government. The bill would, beginning January 1, 2008, require the
council to annually submit a report on its activities to the
Legislature.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:


  SECTION 1.   The Legislature finds and declares as follows:
   (a) The California Research Bureau recently identified in its
"Inventory of Mexico Related Projects Conducted by California State
Agencies," more than 100 programs, initiatives, projects, and
partnerships that exist within state government and are administered
by 12 departments and agencies, eight boards and commissions, and
various campuses of the University of California, the California
State University, and the California Community Colleges.
   (b) Programs generally fall into the areas of trade, immigration,
environment, energy, transportation, health, homeland security,
agriculture, education, and tourism.
   (c) The Office of California-Mexico Affairs was previously housed
within the Technology, Trade, and Commerce Agency, which no longer
exists. Therefore, the office is not active in coordinating these
programs.
   (d) The State Water Resources Control Board directs the state's
border environmental efforts through its Border Environmental
Program. The program is a collaborative effort that includes the
California Environmental Protection Agency, other state agencies, the
State of Baja California, and tribal nations located along the
border region. All California Environmental Protection Agency boards,
departments, and officers actively participate in the program to
ensure that environmental issues are addressed on a multimedia basis.

   (e) There is a need to develop a state government structure that
will provide effective coordination of various state agency efforts,
as well as a thoughtful and collaborative assessment of current and
future program development that will serve the needs of both
California and Mexico in the 21st century.
  SEC. 2.  Chapter 8.1 (commencing with Section 8710) is added to
Division 1 of Title 2 of the Government Code, to read:
      CHAPTER 8.1.  California-Mexico Relations Council

   8710.  The following definitions shall apply to this chapter:
   (a) "Border" means the line of demarcation between California and
Mexico.
   (b) "Council" means the California-Mexico Border Relations
Council.
   (c) "Public agency" means a city, county, city and county,
district, or the state or any agency or department of the state.
   8711.  (a) The California-Mexico Border Relations Council is
hereby established in state government. The council shall consist of
the Secretary of the Resources Agency, the Secretary for
Environmental Protection, the Secretary of Health and Human Services,
the Secretary of Business, Transportation and Housing, the Secretary
of Food and Agriculture, and the Director of Emergency Services.
   (b) The Secretary for Environmental Protection shall chair the
council.
   8712.  The council shall do all of the following:
   (a) Coordinate activities of state agencies that are related to
cross-border programs, initiatives, projects, and partnerships that
exist within state government, to improve the effectiveness of state
and local efforts that are of concern between California and Mexico.

   (b) Establish policies to coordinate the collection and sharing of
data related to cross-border issues between and among agencies.
   (c) Identify and recommend to the Legislature changes in law
needed to achieve the goals of this section.
   8713.  Beginning January 1, 2008, the council shall submit a
report to the Legislature on the council's activities annually.