Resolve, To Establish a Task Force on Franco-Americans

Sec. 1. Task force established. Resolved: That the Task Force on Franco-Americans, referred to in this resolve as "the task force," is established; and be it further

Sec. 2. Task force membership. Resolved: That, notwithstanding Joint Rule 353, the task force consists of 15 members appointed as follows:

1. Four members of the public appointed by the Governor;

2. Five members appointed by the President of the Senate as follows:

3. Six members appointed by the Speaker of the House as follows:

Sec. 3. Chairs. Resolved: That the first-named Senate member is the Senate chair and the first-named House of Representatives member is the House chair of the task force; and be it further

Sec. 4. Appointments; convening of task force. Resolved: That all appointments must be made no later than 30 days following the effective date of this resolve. The appointing authorities shall notify the Executive Director of the Legislative Council once all appointments have been completed. After appointment of all members, the chairs shall call and convene the first meeting of the task force. If 30 days or more after the effective date of this resolve a majority of but not all appointments have been made, the chairs may request authority and the Legislative Council may grant authority for the task force to meet and conduct its business; and be it further

Sec. 5. Duties. Resolved: That the task force shall determine a definition for who is a Franco-American and gather basic data about Franco-Americans, including, but not limited to, how many Franco-Americans reside in the State, the percentage of the State's population that is Franco-American, if they speak French, their educational achievement, their annual income and where they live; and be it further

Sec. 6. Report. Resolved: That, no later than December 7, 2011, the task force shall submit a report that includes its findings and recommendations, including suggested legislation, for presentation to the Second Regular Session of the 125th Legislature. The Joint Standing Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs is authorized to introduce a bill related to the subject matter of the report to the Second Regular Session upon receipt of the report.

summary

This resolve establishes a task force to study Franco-Americans in the State. The task force is directed to determine a definition of who is a Franco-American and gather basic data about Franco-Americans, including how many reside in the State, the percentage of the State’s population that is Franco-American, if they speak French, their educational achievement, their annual income and where they live. It directs the task force to report its findings and suggested legislation to the Joint Standing Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs, which is authorized to report out a bill.