1.1    .................... moves to amend H. F. No. 318 as follows:
1.2Delete everything after the enacting clause and insert:

1.3    "Section 1. [3.9228] MINNESOTA OFFICE ON ETHNIC HERITAGE AND
1.4NEW AMERICANS.
1.5    Subdivision 1. Office established. The Minnesota office of Ethnic Heritage and
1.6New Americans is established to: (1) recognize the state's rich ethnic diversity and the
1.7contributions that immigrants have made to the state's social, economic, and cultural
1.8history; and (2) capitalize on and develop the strengths of the immigrant community in
1.9Minnesota. The commission shall assist state government to foster an understanding and
1.10appreciation of ethnic and cultural diversity in Minnesota, to more effectively identify
1.11the underutilized resources within the immigrant community and to facilitate the full
1.12participation of immigrants in social, cultural, and political life in this state.
1.13    Subd. 2. Membership. The Minnesota office on Ethnic Heritage and New
1.14Americans consists of 14 members: The Subcommittee on Committees of the Committee
1.15on Rules and Administration of the senate shall appoint two public members and two
1.16senators; and the speaker of the house of representatives shall appoint two public members
1.17and two members of the house of representatives. The governor shall appoint six public
1.18members.
1.19    Appointees must have proven experience and dedication to working with the wide
1.20range of ethnic communities within Minnesota, the immigrant community, and possess
1.21training and experience in business, management, economics, public policy, legal affairs,
1.22and social work. The appointing authorities shall seek to collaborate with each other and
1.23with the councils established in sections 3.9223, 3.9225, and 3.9226 to ensure that the
1.24public membership of the commission is ethically and geographically diverse and is
1.25reasonably balanced by gender.
2.1    Compensation and the filling of vacancies or appointed members are as provided in
2.2section 15.0575. The appointments required under this subdivision must be completed
2.3no later than September 1, 2007.
2.4    Subd. 3. Organization. As soon as possible after the appointments under
2.5subdivision 2 have been completed, the executive director of the Legislative Coordinating
2.6Commission shall convene the first meeting of the commission. The members of the
2.7commission shall select their chairperson at the first meeting.
2.8    Subd. 4. Assistance. The Legislative Coordinating Commission shall provide the
2.9administrative and clerical support services necessary for the operation of the Minnesota
2.10Office on Ethnic Heritage and New Americans.
2.11    Subd. 5. Duties. The Minnesota Office on Ethnic Heritage and New Americans
2.12shall:
2.13    (1) work with community leaders, the legislature, and the executive branch to
2.14develop programs and proposals that will encourage ethnic identity, preserve ethnic
2.15heritage, and promote education of the public about the state's heritage and cultural history;
2.16    (2) make recommendations to the legislature and the governor intended to foster the
2.17understanding and appreciation of cultural diversity in the state;
2.18    (3) maintain association with ethnic, cultural, and minority groups to determine
2.19community needs;
2.20    (4) study and consider opportunities and issues for the immigrant community in
2.21this state, including:
2.22    (a) steps to eliminate underutilization of immigrants in the state's work force;
2.23    (b) improving the efficient use of existing state programs and services; and
2.24    (c) other appropriate steps to improve the economic and social condition of
2.25immigrants in this state.
2.26    By December 1, 2008, the commission shall report to the chairs of the legislative
2.27committees and divisions with jurisdiction over issues affecting ethnic heritage and
2.28immigrants. The report must include a discussion of the items listed in this subdivision
2.29together with recommendations for state agencies and the legislature, including any
2.30proposed legislation necessary to accomplish the recommendations. The executive
2.31director of the Legislative Coordinating Commission shall ensure that copies of the report
2.32are available on the Legislative Coordinating Commission's Web site.
2.33    Subd. 6. Expiration. This section expires on June 30, 2009.

2.34    Sec. 2. APPROPRIATION; MINNESOTA OFFICE ONE ETHNIC HERITAGE
2.35AND NEW AMERICANS.
3.1    $....... in fiscal year 2008 and $....... in fiscal year 2009 are appropriated from the
3.2general fund to the Legislative Coordinating Commission for the Minnesota Office on
3.3Ethnic Heritage and New Americans established in section 1."
3.4Renumber the sections in sequence and correct the internal references
3.5Amend the title accordingly