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Committee adopts substitute to establish Commission on Middle Eastern Affairs in statute
Summary
House Bill 5936, which would codify the Commission on Middle Eastern Affairs (created by executive order in 2015) into statute to protect representation for Middle Eastern Americans, had sponsors explain economic and representational reasons for the change and was adopted and reported with recommendation.
House Bill 5936 would establish the Commission on Middle Eastern Affairs in statute rather than by executive order. Representative Farhat's staff (Dylan Gebhard) and Representative Brett Burns testified in favor, saying the commission provides dedicated representation for Middle Eastern Americans and citing a commission-ordered economic-impact figure of $31.2 billion in state output and roughly 154,000 jobs.
Testimony emphasized that because the commission was created by executive order it could be removed by a future governor, and codification would protect continuity. Members asked procedural questions about appointment authority and a late substitute that moved chair selection and other authorities to gubernatorial appointment; sponsors said the changes align the commission with how it currently operates in the executive-branch appointments division.
After questions and discussion the committee adopted Substitute H-1 for HB5936 and reported the bill with recommendation; roll-call tallies were recorded. Members expressed interest in examining the late substitute more closely but voted to move the bill forward.
