Section 74-6501 - Hispanic and Latino American affairs commission established; advisory to the governor

There is hereby created the Hispanic and Latino American affairs commission hereinafter referred to as the "commission." The commission shall be advisory to the governor and shall be within the office of the governor and a part thereof.

K.S.A. 74-6501a

(a) The Kansas advisory committee on Hispanic affairs shall be and hereby is officially designated as the Hispanic and Latino American affairs commission. (b) On and after the effective date of this act, whenever the Kansas advisory committee on Hispanic affairs or the executive director of the Kansas advisory committee on Hispanic affairs, or words of like effect, is referred to or designated by a statute, contract or other document, such reference or designation shall mean and apply to the Hispanic and Latino American affairs commission and to the executive director of the Hispanic and Latino American affairs commission. (c) The Hispanic and Latino American affairs commission shall be a continuation of the Kansas advisory committee on Hispanic affairs and the office of executive director of the Hispanic and Latino American affairs commission shall be a continuation of the office of executive director of the Kansas advisory committee on Hispanic affairs.

K.S.A. 74-6502

(a) The commission shall consist of seven members. No more than four members shall be members of the same political party. Subject to the provisions of K.S.A. 75-4315c, and amendments thereto, each congressional district in the state of Kansas shall be represented on the commission by at least one member who is a resident of the district at the time of appointment and the remainder shall represent the state at large. Commission members shall be appointed by the governor. A person appointed to fill a vacancy which occurs prior to the expiration of a term shall be appointed for the unexpired term. Except as provided by subsection (b), each member of the commission shall be appointed for a three-year term. (b) Members shall be appointed for terms of three years and until successors are appointed and qualified. (c) Nothing in this subsection shall be construed as prohibiting the reappointment of members who had been appointed prior to the effective date of this act.

Section 74-6503 - Commission chairman and secretary

The commission shall elect one of its members as chairperson and one as secretary to serve a one-year term.

Section 74-6504 - Commission functions, powers and duties

The commission shall have the following functions, powers and duties:

(a) Gather and disseminate information and conduct hearings, conferences and special studies on problems and programs concerning Hispanics; (b) coordinate, assist and cooperate with the efforts of state departments and agencies to serve the needs of Hispanics especially in the area of culture, education, employment, health, housing, welfare and recreation; (c) develop, coordinate and assist other public and private organizations with understanding the problems of Hispanics; (d) develop, coordinate and assist other public and private organizations to provide services to Hispanics; (e) propose new programs concerning Hispanics; (f) evaluate existing programs and proposed legislation concerning Hispanics; (g) stimulate public awareness of the problems of Hispanics by conducting a program of public education; (h) conduct training programs for community leadership and service project staff; (i) accept contributions from any person to assist in the effectuation of this section and to seek and enlist the cooperation of private, charitable, religious, labor, civic and benevolent organizations for the purposes of this section; (j) solicit, receive and expend federal funds to effectuate the purposes of this act and enter into contracts and agreements with any federal agency for such purposes; (k) establish advisory committees on special subjects; and (l) cooperate with the state board of education in advising and assisting school districts, upon request, in conducting in-service training programs for bilingual education personnel.

Section 74-6505 - Commission meetings; quorum

The commission shall meet at least four times a year. The chairperson may call additional meetings. A majority of members shall constitute a quorum.

Section 74-6506 - Compensation and allowances of commission members

Members of the commission attending meetings of such commission shall be paid amounts provided in subsection (e) of K.S.A. 75-3223, and amendments thereto.

Section 74-6507 - Executive director; qualifications

The executive director of the commission shall be qualified by education and experience to assume the responsibilities of such office and be able to converse and write fluently in both the English and Spanish languages.

Section 74-6508 - Administrative officer; duties

The executive director shall be the administrative officer of the commission and shall serve the commission by gathering information, disseminating findings of fact and other information, forwarding proposals and evaluations to the governor, the legislature and various state agencies, carrying out public education programs, conducting hearings and conferences and performing other duties necessary for the proper operation of the commission.

Section 74-6509 - Technical advisors and assistants, appointment

The executive director of the commission may appoint, subject to the approval of the commission and the governor, technical advisors and assistants to develop, assist and cooperate with local commissions on Hispanics.