HBA-BSM H.B. 1687 77(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 1687
By: Kolkhorst
Agriculture & Livestock
2/26/2001
Introduced



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Currently,  the Texas Animal Health Commission (commission) is not
expressly authorized to accept a gift, grant, or donation or assist in the
development, support, and oversight of food safety and quality assurance
programs.  House  Bill 1687 authorizes the commission to accept a gift,
grant, or donation, and to use their expertise to assist in quality
assurance programs if an organization the commission regulates requests
assistance. 

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. 

ANALYSIS

House Bill 1687 amends the Agriculture Code to authorize the Texas Animal
Health Commission (commission) to solicit and accept gifts, grants, and
donations for the purpose of animal disease and pest control.  The bill
also authorizes the commission to assist in the development, support, and
oversight of a food safety or quality assurance program, including the
provision of testing services if requested by an organization representing
producers of a commodity regulated by the commission. 

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or if the Act does not receive the necessary vote, the Act
takes effect September 1, 2001.