HBA-JRA H.B. 2 76(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 2
By: Swinford
Agriculture & Livestock
3/16/1999
Introduced



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Agriculture is a major component in Texas' economy, creating numerous job
opportunities for Texans.  Texas currently lacks a consistent statewide
policy addressing the agriculture industry, from production to processing,
and ensuring the economic survival of agricultural industries and
businesses.  H.B. 2 sets forth legislative findings and policy for
encouraging and supporting the promotion and purchase of Texas agricultural
products and requires the Department of Agriculture, the Texas Department
of Economic Development, and each public senior college or university to
conduct agriculture-related studies and report the results by January 1,
2001. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does
not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, department, agency, or institution. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Provides that this Act shall be known as the Agriculture and
Rural Development Act of 1999. 

SECTION 2.  Amends Title 1, Agriculture Code, by adding Chapter 2, as
follows: 

CHAPTER 2.  STATE AGRICULTURAL POLICY

Sec. 2.001.  FINDINGS.  Sets forth legislative findings.

Sec. 2.002.  POLICY.  (a)  Requires the state to encourage and support the
promotion and purchase of Texas agricultural products throughout this
state, the nation, and the world. 

(b)  Provides that the state must ensure that agricultural interests are
appropriately represented in state water planning activities. 

(c)  Requires the state to support efforts to control and eradicate
injurious pests and diseases that adversely affect crops and livestock. 

(d)  Requires the state to promote rural economic development activities.

(e)  Requires the state to maintain a comprehensive surface transportation
system, including a farm-to-market system for agricultural products. 

(f)  Requires the state to treat forestry as an agricultural enterprise.

(g)  Requires the state to promote efficient utilization of soil and water
resources. 

(h)  Requires the state to promote agricultural research through state
universities, agricultural extension service and experiment stations, and
private research entities. 

(i)  Requires the state to promote a rural fire service.
 
(j)  Requires the state to provide scientific, research-based environmental
regulation of agriculture  that protects the health, safety, and
development interests of this state. 

(k)  Requires the state to protect private property rights and the right to
farm. 

(l)  Requires the state to provide planning and assistance to value-added
agriculture initiatives. 

(m)  Requires the state to encourage and support food safety.

(n)  Requires the state to adopt a tax policy that encourages agricultural
businesses and development. 

(o)  Requires the state to ensure that the public school curriculum
regarding agriculture is balanced and factual. 

(p)  Requires the state to provide loans and grants of money to foster the
growth of agricultural enterprises and innovation consistent with Section
52-a, Article III, Texas Constitution (Assistance to Encourage State
Economic Development). 

SECTION 3.  (a)  Requires the Department of Agriculture to conduct a study
of the agriculture industry in this state, including value-added
processing, and prepare a strategic plan and recommendations to promote the
development of agriculture in this state.  Provides that the study must
include an inventory of agricultural value-added processors in this state.
Limits the cost of the study to $50,000 and provides that it is payable
from appropriated funds. 

(b)  Requires the Department of Agriculture to submit a written report of
the study, strategic plan, and recommendations of the study to the
governor, lieutenant governor, and speaker of the house of representatives
by January 1, 2001. 

SECTION 4.  (a)  Requires the Texas Department of Economic Development to
conduct a study of the textile industry in this state and prepare a
strategic plan and recommendations to promote the development of the
textile industry in this state.  Limits the cost of the study to $30,000
and provides that it is payable from appropriated funds. 

(b)  Requires the Texas Department of Economic Development to submit a
written report of the study, strategic plan, and recommendations of the
study to the governor, lieutenant governor, and speaker of the house of
representatives by January 1, 2001. 

SECTION 5.  Requires each public senior college or university, for each of
the 10 most recent state fiscal years preceding September 1, 2000, to
prepare a written report of the total amount of money spent by the
university for agricultural research in cooperation with private entities.
Requires each state university to submit the report to the governor,
lieutenant governor, and speaker of the house of representatives by January
1, 2001. 

SECTION 6.Emergency clause.
  Effective date: upon passage.