Office of the Texas Governor | Greg Abbott
Menu

Governor Abbott Issues Executive Order Relating To The Governor’s Commission For Women

March 30, 2016 | Austin, Texas | Proclamation

WHEREAS, the Governor’s Commission for Women has admirably served the State of Texas since its inception in 1967; and

WHEREAS, continuation of the Governor’s Commission for Women will benefit Texas women, woman-owned businesses and indeed all Texans;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Greg Abbott, Governor of the State of Texas, do hereby order that the Governor’s Commission for Women, hereafter referred to as the Commission, be continued without interruption.

The Commission will consist of no more than fifteen (15) members appointed by the governor for a two-year term. Members shall serve at the pleasure of the governor. The governor shall designate a chair and vice-chair from the membership who shall hold such designations at the pleasure of the governor.

The governor shall appoint an executive director who shall assist the Commission in developing and implementing activities consistent with the provisions of this executive order.

The Commission shall have as its principal charge the following:

  1. Support programs and activities that have the primary objective of empowering and enabling women business owners to gain access to the tools, education, resources and networking opportunities needed to help women start, grow and expand businesses;
  2. Identify and research topics and trends that significantly affect the women of Texas;
  3. Collect and maintain information on programs and initiatives of state agencies and on legislation relating to women and monitor federal and state legislation relating to issues affecting women;
  4. Increase public awareness of issues affecting women through the distribution of information, media events, referrals and public and community outreach programs;
  5. Maintain ongoing collaboration between state government and private sector professionals acting as advocates for policies, programs and initiatives that support the Commission’s work;
  6. Coordinate and host the Biennial Texas Women’s Hall of Fame Awards, honoring outstanding women in Texas; and
  7. Oversee the State Agency Council, which supports the Commission in fulfilling its charge.

The Commission shall make a biennial written report of its findings, activities and recommendations to the governor.

The Commission shall meet at the call of the chair. A majority of the membership shall constitute a quorum for the purpose of conducting the business of the Commission.

The members of the Commission shall serve without salary.

All agencies of state and local government are hereby directed to cooperate with and assist the Commission in the performance of its duties.

This executive order supersedes all previous orders and shall remain in effect and in full force until modified, amended, rescinded or superseded by me or by a succeeding governor.

 

GREG ABBOTT
Governor

Vew a PDF of the Executive Order.