HBA-BSM H.B. 453 77(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 453
By: Swinford
Agriculture & Livestock
2/14/2001
Introduced



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Legislation enacted by  the 76th Legislature required the legislature to
conduct a comprehensive study of the condition of agriculture in Texas,
including programs supporting agriculture and the role of the state in
preserving the agriculture industry.  House Bill 453 establishes the
Agriculture Policy Board as a legislative agency to provide advice on
agricultural issues, and perform an ongoing examination of the state's
agricultural policy. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that rulemaking
authority is expressly delegated to the Agriculture Policy Board in SECTION
1 (Section 2.004,  Agriculture Code) of this bill. 

ANALYSIS

House Bill 453 amends the Agriculture Code to create the Agriculture Policy
Board (board) which is required, through research and analysis, to advocate
and recommend strategies for agriculture that enhance agriculture
production, income, and employment; benefit consumers; and  promote
efficient use of natural resources.  The bill provides for the composition,
appointment, administration,  and operation of the board. 

The board is required to continue the development of agriculture policy
guidelines, and: 

 _review all legislation that will impact agriculture in this state for
compliance with the guidelines; 
 
 _review all agriculture budget issues for compliance with the guidelines,
and establish priorities for agriculture-related research and agency
budgets related to agriculture; 
 
 _review all current statutes that affect agriculture in this state for
compliance with the guidelines; and 
 
 _review all agency rulemaking authority for compliance with the guidelines.

The bill requires the board to adopt rules necessary for the proceedings of
the board. The board is authorized to create a 15-member ad hoc advisory
committee to assist the board in carrying out the official duties of the
board.    

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2001.