TITLE: Relating to the creation of guidelines for the Office of the State Demographer to encourage the inclusion of a broad variety of racial/ethnic groups in estimates and projections.

SUMMARY: Relating to the creation of guidelines for the Office of the State Demographer to encourage the inclusion of a broad variety of racial/ethnic groups in estimates and projections.

FULL TEXT:
AN ACT relating to the creation of guidelines for the Office of the State Demographer to encourage the inclusion of a broad variety of racial/ethnic groups in estimates and projections. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Section 468.004, Government Code, is amended to read as follows: Sec. 468.004. POWERS AND DUTIES. The state demographer shall: (1) disseminate demographic and related socioeconomic data to the public, with emphasis on data that may be useful to public policymakers; (2) provide annual population estimates for all counties and municipalities in the state; (3) provide biennial population projections for the state and all counties of the state; (4) adhere to current standards of practice when determining which racial/ethnic groups to include in estimates and projections; (5) provide information by request which justifies the omission of any particular racial/ethnic group from estimates and projections, including limitations of data and methodology; (6) [(4)] provide information to the legislature relating to the impact that demographic and socioeconomic changes in the population of the state have on the demand for state services; and (7) [(5)] evaluate the type and quality of data needed to: (A) adequately monitor demographic and socioeconomic changes in the population of the state; and (B) assess the effectiveness of delivery of state services. SECTION 2. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.