TITLE GOVERNOR

Executive Order

THE STATE OF TEXAS EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT, OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR--AUSTIN, TEXAS, EXECUTIVE ORDER GWB 00-1

RELATING TO CONSERVATION

WHEREAS , the State of Texas has perhaps the most diverse natural resources of all 50 states; and these resources contribute directly to the State's economy and quality of life; and

WHEREAS , conservation and wise utilization of these resources is a continuing challenge due to many factors, including rapid population growth, the accelerating loss of natural areas, conflicts associated with species recovery and the rising demand for access to the outdoors; and

WHEREAS , ninety-seven percent of the Texas landscape is privately owned; and among the most serious conservation challenges in the state is the continued breakup of family lands; and

WHEREAS , many institutions in Texas, including private landowners, non-profit organizations, and public agencies have contributed to the general health of these resources in Texas today; and

WHEREAS , nature tourism offers exciting economic development opportunities arising from Texas' great natural diversity; and

WHEREAS , Texas has an extensive system of State and local parks that contribute directly to its quality of life, but are currently overtaxed due to increased demand, aging infrastructure, and insufficient funding; and

WHEREAS , placing tools and incentives in the hands of private landowners and partnering with local communities have been successful conservation strategies for the state; and

WHEREAS , Texas should encourage responsible stewardship and enhance outdoor recreational opportunities to ensure that future generations can enjoy the state's abundant beauty and natural resources;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, GOVERNOR OF TEXAS , under the authority vested in me, do hereby create and establish the Governor's Task Force on Conservation to serve in an advisory capacity to the Governor. This Task Force shall

(i) examine the impact of fragmentation on lands in Texas and the wildlife habitat located thereon;

(ii) make recommendations as to appropriate incentives and tools available to assist landowners in more effectively conserving and managing lands in their stewardship;

(iii) make recommendations as to how all Texas citizens may benefit from the many forms of economic activity associated with natural resources, including hunting, fishing, other forms of outdoor recreation, and nature tourism; and

(iv) provide specific recommendations as to how the state, in partnership with other government entities, private landowners and community-based groups can better meet the conservation and outdoor recreation needs of the State of Texas in the future.

The Task Force shall have no final action authority.

The Governor shall appoint the members of the Task Force and he shall designate a chair. The Task Force shall include members of non-profit conservation organizations, private landowners, persons affiliated with statewide conservation efforts, and community leaders. The Task Force chair shall convene the Task Force at the earliest practicable time after appointment and shall accomplish its charge by November 1, 2000. It shall submit to the Governor a written summary of its findings and recommendations by November 1, 2000.

The Task Force shall meet as frequently as necessary upon call of the Chair. A majority of the membership shall constitute a quorum for the purpose of conducting the business of the Task Force.

The members of the Task Force shall serve without salary. Reasonable and necessary travel and per diem expenses may be reimbursed when such expenses are incurred in direct performance of official duties, but such reimbursement shall not exceed $80 per day as permitted by Article IX, Section 33, of the Texas General Appropriations Act.

This Executive Order shall be effective immediately and shall remain in full force and effect until modified, amended, or rescinded by me.

George W. Bush, Governor of Texas

Filed: February 14, 2000

THE STATE OF TEXAS EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT, OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR--AUSTIN, TEXAS EXECUTIVE ORDER GWB 00-1A

RELATING TO AMENDING THE ORDER ESTABLISHING THE GOVERNOR'S TASK FORCE ON CONSERVATION

WHEREAS , the Governor has established the Governor's Task Force on Conservation; and

WHEREAS , the Governor has determined that the members of the Task Force should be reimbursed for necessary and reasonable travel expenses associated with conducting the official duties of the Task Force; and

WHEREAS , the rate prescribed by the General Appropriations Act for reimbursing the travel expenses of members of state boards and commissions has been established for the current biennium at an amount not to exceed $95 per day;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, GOVERNOR OF TEXAS , under the authority vested in me, do hereby authorize that members of the Task Force may be reimbursed for reasonable and necessary travel and per diem expenses when such expenses are incurred in direct performance of official duties, but such amount shall not exceed $95 per day as authorized by Article IX, Section 9-4.04, of the General Appropriations Act for the 2000-01 biennium. All other provisions of Executive Order GWB 00-1 shall remain in force, including the provision that members of the Task Force shall serve without salary.

This amendment to Executive Order GWB 00-1 shall be effective immediately and shall remain in full force and effect until modified, amended or rescinded by me.

This Executive Order shall be effective immediately and shall remain in full force and effect until modified, amended, or rescinded by me.

George W. Bush, Governor of Texas

Filed: February 24, 2000

THE STATE OF TEXAS EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT, OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR--AUSTIN, TEXAS, EXECUTIVE ORDER GWB 00-2

RELATING TO THE DESIGNATION OF THE TEXAS SECRETARY OF STATE AS THE CENSUS 2000 AMBASSADOR FOR TEXAS

WHEREAS , the United States Constitution requires the enumeration of all persons in the United States every ten years; and

WHEREAS , census data will affect planning and allocation of funds for a number of important governmental programs including health care for the poor, highway and public transportation systems, and aid to disadvantaged students; and

WHEREAS , local governments also use census information in decisions such as the construction of new roads and bridges and the proper location of libraries, hospitals, and police and fire departments; and

WHEREAS , the U.S. Census Bureau has launched an intensive promotional and public awareness campaign to help achieve a complete census count of all people in Texas; and

WHEREAS , Texas state and local jurisdictions have been working with the U.S. Census Bureau to recognize and enhance efforts to target hard-to-enumerate population groups within Texas, especially in densely populated urban areas and the border region, including the establishment of more than 500 local Complete Count Committees in Texas; and

WHEREAS , it is in the best interest of the State of Texas that a complete census count of all people in Texas be obtained and that approximately 28,000 additional census workers be hired to achieve this goal;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, GOVERNOR OF TEXAS , by virtue of the power vested in me, do hereby designate the Texas Secretary of State as the Census 2000 Ambassador for Texas and charge the Secretary of State with the following duties:

Promote the importance of a complete Census 2000 count of all people in Texas;

Instill trust in hard-to-enumerate populations that the Census is confidential;

Help coordinate and support communications and outreach efforts between local, state, and federal initiatives; and

Perform any other activities incident to the foregoing or otherwise related thereto as appropriate or as requested.

FURTHER , I hereby request that all state agencies cooperate with and assist the Secretary of State in performing his Census 2000 duties by taking the following actions:

Designating an agency employee as a liaison for the Census 2000 to help coordinate outreach efforts;

Allowing agency headquarters and field offices to be dissemination points for census materials;

Developing other promotional techniques to promote the 2000 Census, such as mailings, publications and providing a link to the Texas 2000 Census Internet site on the agency's web page; and

Advising agency employees of opportunities to work during the census process and accommodating those who choose to work evenings or weekends as census takers.

George W. Bush, Governor of Texas

Filed: February 14, 2000