To enact sections 4112.31, 4112.32, and 4112.33 of the Revised Code to establish a New African Immigrants Commission to advocate for the development and implementation of policies and programs to address the needs of the State's sub-Saharan African population.

Section 1. That sections 4112.31, 4112.32, and 4112.33 of the Revised Code be enacted to read as follows:

Sec. 4112.31.  The new African immigrants commission shall:

(A) Gather and disseminate information and conduct hearings, conferences, investigations, and special studies on problems and programs concerning sub-Saharan African people;

(B) Secure appropriate recognition of the accomplishments and contributions of sub-Saharan African people to this state;

(C) Stimulate public awareness of the problems of sub-Saharan African people by conducting a program of public education;

(D) Develop, coordinate, and assist other public and private organizations that serve sub-Saharan African people, including the conducting of training programs for community leadership and service project staff;

(E) Advise the governor, general assembly, and state departments and agencies of the nature, magnitude, and priorities of the problems of sub-Saharan African people;

(F) Advise the governor, general assembly, and state departments and agencies on, and assist in the development and implementation of, comprehensive and coordinated policies, programs, and procedures focusing on the special problems and needs of sub-Saharan African people, especially in the fields of education, employment, energy, health, housing, welfare, and recreation;

(G) Propose new programs concerning sub-Saharan African people to public and private agencies and evaluate for such agencies existing programs or prospective legislation concerning sub-Saharan African people;

(H) Review and approve grants to be made from federal, state, or private funds which are administered or subcontracted by the office of new African immigrant affairs;

(I) Review and approve the annual report prepared by the office of new African immigrant affairs; and

(J) Create an interagency council consisting of the following persons or their authorized representatives: one member of the senate appointed by the president of the senate; one member of the house of representatives appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives; the directors of administrative services, agriculture, education, development, health, highway safety, job and family services, liquor control, mental health, mental retardation and developmental disabilities, natural resources, rehabilitation and correction, youth services, transportation, environmental protection, and budget and management; the chairperson of the Ohio civil rights commission, the administrators of the bureau of workers' compensation and the rehabilitation services commission, and an additional member of the governor's cabinet appointed by the governor. The new African immigrants commission, by rule, may designate other state officers or their representatives to be members of the council. The director of the commission shall be the chairperson of the council.

The interagency council shall provide and coordinate the exchange of information relative to the needs of sub-Saharan African people and promote the delivery of state services to such people. The council shall meet at the call of the chairperson.

Sec. 4112.32.  There is hereby created the new African immigrants commission consisting of eleven members appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the senate. The speaker of the house of representatives shall recommend to the governor two persons for appointment to the commission, the president of the senate shall recommend to the governor two such persons, and the minority leaders of the house and senate shall each recommend to the governor one such person. The governor shall make initial appointments to the commission. Of the initial appointments made to the commission, three shall be for a term ending October 7, 2009, four shall be for a term ending October 7, 2010, and four shall be for a term ending October 7, 2011. Thereafter, terms of office shall be for three years, each term ending on the same day of the same month of the year as did the term which it succeeds. Each member shall hold office from the date of appointment until the end of the term for which the member was appointed. Vacancies shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment. Any member appointed to fill a vacancy occurring prior to the expiration of the term for which the member's predecessor was appointed shall hold office for the remainder of such term. Any member shall continue in office subsequent to the expiration date of the member's term until the member's successor takes office, or until a period of sixty days has elapsed, whichever occurs first. At the first organizational meeting of the commission, the original eleven members shall draw lots to determine the length of the term each member shall serve.

All members of the commission shall be of sub-Saharan African origin, and shall be American citizens or lawful, permanent, resident aliens. Members shall be from urban, suburban, and rural geographical areas representative of sub-Saharan African people with a numerical and geographical balance of the sub-Saharan African population throughout the state.

The commission shall meet not less than six times per calendar year. The commission shall elect a chairperson, vice-chairperson, and other officers from among its members as it considers advisable. Six members constitute a quorum. The commission shall adopt rules governing its procedures. No action of the commission is valid without the concurrence of six members.

Each member shall be compensated for work as a member for each day that the member is actually engaged in the performance of work as a member. No member shall be compensated for more than one day each month. In addition, each member shall be reimbursed for all actual and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of official business.

Sec. 4112.33.  The office of new African immigrant affairs is hereby created. The office shall be accountable to the new African immigrants commission. The chief administrator of the office shall be appointed by and serve at the pleasure of the commission.

The director, with the approval of the commission, shall appoint such employees as are necessary to carry out the duties of the office. The employees shall serve at the pleasure of the director.

The office shall compile and provide information to the commission about, and advise it on, solutions to the problems of sub-Saharan African people. The office shall execute the tasks assigned to it by the commission which shall include, but not be limited to, the following:

(A) Serve as a clearinghouse to review and comment on all proposals to meet the needs of sub-Saharan African people that are submitted to it by public and private agencies;

(B) Apply for and accept grants and gifts from governmental and private sources to be administered by the office or subcontracted to local agencies;

(C) Monitor and evaluate all programs subcontracted to local agencies by the commission;

(D) Endeavor to assure that sub-Saharan African people have access to decision-making bodies in all state and local governmental departments and agencies;

(E) Submit a full written annual report of its activities, accomplishments, and recommendations to the commission;

(F) Establish advisory committees on special subjects as needed to facilitate and maximize community participation in the operation of the commission; and

(G) Establish with state and local governments and private business and industry relationships that promote and assure equal opportunity for sub-Saharan African people in government, education, and employment.

Advisory committees shall be composed of persons representing community organizations and charitable institutions, public officials, and such other persons as the office determines.