The commission must identify barriers to government services for Latino Americans, hold hearings, gather research, and submit recommendations; it may also handle funds and support bicentennial events.
§1223. Powers and duties A. The commission shall identify obstacles to the effective delivery of governmental services by all service providers at all levels of government to Latino Americans, and the commission shall propose methods for removing those obstacles from such delivery of services and submit its proposals to the appropriate governmental entity or entities. To this end the commission shall: (1) Conduct public hearings at which it takes testimony from service providers, citizens, and advocates who can speak to the needs of the Latino American community. Such public hearings shall be held at various locations around the state so as to facilitate the broadest possible participation by recipients and potential recipients of governmental services. (2) Request of and receive from staff assigned to it research of available data and information pertinent to the delivery of governmental services to Latino Americans, which research may include investigation of efforts in other states to deliver services to foreign born populations. (3) Formally adopt specific recommendations for changes in the allocation of funds and spending, statutory law, administrative rules, and agency policy, procedure, and practice and submit such specific recommendations to the appropriate governmental entity or entities. If the recommendation is made to any entity other than the legislature, a copy thereof shall also be submitted to the presiding officers of the legislature each of whom shall forward the copy to the standing committee or committees of his respective house which have jurisdiction over the issue or entity. B. The commission may solicit, accept, and expend funds for the purposes provided in this Section. C. The commission may support the state's celebration of its bicentennial of statehood by holding or participating in programs and events through which it can increase public awareness of the significance of Latino American heritage, culture, and contributions throughout the state's history. Acts 2009, No. 141, §1, eff. June 25, 2009; Acts 2010, No. 599, §1.