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2005 SESSION


CHAPTER 636
An Act to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Chapter 24 of Title 2.2 an article numbered 21, consisting of sections numbered 2.2-2459, 2.2-2460, and 2.2-2461, relating to the Latino Advisory Board.
[H 2420]
Approved March 23, 2005

 

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1.  That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding in Chapter 24 of Title 2.2 an article numbered 21, consisting of sections numbered 2.2-2459, 2.2-2460, and 2.2-2461, as follows:

Article 21.
Latino Advisory Board.

§ 2.2-2459. Latino Advisory Board; membership; terms; compensation and expenses.

A. The Latino Advisory Board (the Board) is established as an advisory board, within the meaning of § 2.2-2100, in the executive branch of state government. The Board shall consist of 21 nonlegislative citizen members, at least 15 of whom shall be of Latino descent, who shall be appointed by the Governor and serve at his pleasure. In addition, the Secretaries of the Commonwealth, Commerce and Trade, Education, Health and Human Resources, Public Safety, and Transportation, or their designees shall serve as ex officio members without voting privileges. All members shall be residents of the Commonwealth.

B. After the initial staggering of terms, nonlegislative citizen members shall be appointed for a term of four years.  Appointments to fill vacancies shall be for the unexpired terms. No member shall be eligible to serve more than two successive four-year terms; however, after the expiration of the remainder of a term to which a member was appointed to fill a vacancy, two additional terms may be served by such member if appointed thereto.

C. The Board shall elect from its membership a chairman and vice chairman.  A majority of the members of the Board shall constitute a quorum. Meetings of the Board shall be limited to four per year and shall be held upon the call of the chairman or whenever the majority of the members so request.

D. Members of the Board shall receive no compensation for their services, but shall be reimbursed for all reasonable and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties as provided in §§ 2.2-2813 and 2.2-2825.

§ 2.2-2460. Powers and duties; acceptance of gifts and grants.

A. The Board shall have the power and duty to:

1. Advise the Governor regarding the development of economic, professional, cultural, educational, and governmental links between the Commonwealth of Virginia, the Latino community in Virginia, and Latin America;

2. Undertake studies, symposiums, research, and factual reports to gather information to formulate and present recommendations to the Governor relative to issues of concern and importance to the Latino community in the Commonwealth; and

3. Advise the Governor as needed regarding any statutory, regulatory, or other issues of importance to the Latino community in the Commonwealth.

B. The Board may apply for, accept, and expend gifts, grants, or donations from public or private sources to enable it to carry out its objectives.

§ 2.2-2461. Staff; cooperation from other state agencies.

The Office of the Governor shall serve as staff to the Board. All agencies of the Commonwealth shall assist the Board upon request.

2.  That the intent of this act is to codify the Latino Advisory Commission, which exists pursuant to an executive order of the Governor, as the Latino Advisory Board, a permanent advisory board in the executive branch.

3.  That the initial appointments of nonlegislative citizen members in accordance with this act shall be staggered as follows: seven members for a one-year term, six members for a two-year term, five members for a three-year term, and three members for a four-year term.

4. That the provisions of this act shall become effective on October 15, 2005.