S3704

An Act establishing the New Jersey Dominican-American Commission and supplementing Title 52 of the Revised Statutes.

Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

1. The Legislature finds and declares that:

The State of New Jersey recognizes that its Dominican population is one of the State’s fastest growing Latino populations. The histories of our nation and our State have been significantly enriched by the heritage of people of Dominican descent. Our nation and our State have benefitted substantially from the influences and contributions of these men, women, and children and their distinctive culture and history. It is desirable to educate our citizens about the positive aspects of the culture, music, art, language, history, and heritage of Dominican-Americans. The State should take concrete steps to address the challenges within its Dominican-American community and work diligently to foster a mutual and beneficial relationship with our fellow citizens.

2. a. There is established in, but not of, the Department of State the New Jersey Dominican-American Commission. The commission shall consist of 21 members.

b. (1) Two members of the Legislature shall be appointed by the President of the Senate, neither of whom shall be members of the same political party; two members of the Legislature shall be appointed by the Minority Leader of the Senate, neither of whom shall be members of the same political party; two members of the Legislature shall be appointed by the Speaker of the General Assembly, neither of whom shall be members of the same political party; and two members of the Legislature shall be appointed by the Minority Leader of the General Assembly, neither of whom shall be members of the same political party. The legislative members of the commission shall serve during the two-year legislative term in which the appointments are made.

(2) Thirteen members of the commission shall be appointed by the Governor. The 13 members thus appointed shall be residents of the State who have served prominently as spokespersons, have demonstrated leadership, or served as prominent advocates within the Dominican or Dominican-American community, including, but not limited to, organizations focused on cultural, social, or heritage-based initiatives.

Each member of the commission appointed by the Governor shall serve for a term of three years, except that of the initial members appointed: five members shall serve for a term of four years, four members shall serve for a term of three years, and four members shall serve for a term of two years.

c. To the greatest extent practicable, appointees shall reflect the geographic and cultural diversity of the State. The members shall be eligible for reappointment and shall serve until their successors are appointed and qualified. The term of the successor of any incumbent shall be calculated from the expiration of the term of that incumbent. A vacancy occurring other than by expiration of term shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment, but for the unexpired term only.

d. All appointments shall be made no later than 90 days following the date of enactment of P.L. , c. (C. )(pending before the Legislature at this bill).

e. Members of the commission shall serve without compensation but may be reimbursed for expenses actually incurred in the performance of their duties, within the limit of funds appropriated or otherwise made available to the commission for its purposes.

f. The commission annually shall elect a chairperson from among its members. It shall meet upon the call of the chair or of a majority of the commission members, and hold hearings at the places it designates throughout the State.. The presence of a majority of the authorized membership of the commission shall be required for the conduct of official business.

g. The commission shall appoint an executive director, who shall serve at its pleasure and shall be a person qualified by training and experience to perform the duties of the office.

h. The Department of State shall provide professional and clerical staff to the commission as may be necessary for the commission’s purposes. The commission shall also be entitled to call upon the services of any State, county, or municipal department, board, commission, or agency, as may be available to it for its purposes.

2. a. The purpose of the New Jersey Dominican-American Commission shall be to: advocate for the Dominican-American community in the State; foster cultural engagement; strengthen connections between the State and the Dominican Republic; and address such other issues as determined by the commission.

b. The commission shall report its findings and recommendations to the Governor, and the Legislature pursuant to section 2 of P.L.1991, c.164 (C.52:14-19.1), within one year of its initial organizational meeting and by February 1st of each succeeding year. The report shall include such recommendations as deemed appropriate by the commission to effectuate its purposes, as provided by this section.

3. This act shall take effect immediately.

STATEMENT

This bill establishes the New Jersey Dominican-American Commission.

The purpose of the New Jersey Dominican-American Commission will be to: advocate for the Dominican-American community in the State; foster cultural engagement; strengthen connections between the State and the Dominican Republic; and address such other issues as determined by the commission.

The commission will report its findings and recommendations to the Governor and the Legislature within one year of its initial organizational meeting and by February 1st of each succeeding year.

The commission will consist of 21 members. Two members of the Legislature will be appointed by the President of the Senate, two members of the Legislature will be appointed by the Minority Leader of the Senate, two members of the Legislature will be appointed by the Speaker of the General Assembly, and two members of the Legislature will be appointed by the Minority Leader of the General Assembly. Thirteen members of the commission will be appointed by the Governor. The 13 members thus appointed will be residents of the State who have served prominently as spokespersons, have demonstrated leadership, or served as prominent advocates within the Dominican or Dominican-American community, including, but not limited to, organizations focused on cultural, social, or heritage-based initiatives.