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May 18, 2001
Legislature creates
Agriculture Policy Board...
At the time of this writing, there is less than three weeks remaining in the regular session of the 77th Legislature. We say "regular session" at this point due to the possibility of a called "special session by the governor to deal with a number of potential, unresolved issues.
Because of the rush of activity underway in the Capitol and the uncertain outcome of many bills important to TFB in the remaining days of the session, we thought it would be best if we highlighted a couple of bills that have already been sent to Gov. Rick Perry for his expected signature or are already signed into law.
The first bill is HB 453 by State Rep. David Swinford. The bill creates the Agriculture Policy Board. The Board, through research and analysis, shall advocate and recommend strategies for agriculture that enhance agriculture production, income and employment, that benefit consumers, and strategies the promote efficient and sustainable use of natural resources.
The nine-member Board is a legislative entity composed of the Texas Commissioner of Agriculture, the chair of the House Committee on Agriculture and Livestock, the chair of the Senate Committee on Natural Resources Subcommittee on Agriculture, and three members of the House and Senate, preferably with expertise in agriculture or from predominantly agriculturally-oriented districts.
Important for our organization and other agricultural interests in the state, the Board must create a 15-member ad hoc advisory committee to assist the Board in carrying out its official duties. This ad hoc advisory committee offers the best opportunity for industry representatives to voice concerns and articulate issues to the legislative group.
The Board will review all legislation that will impact agriculture in this state for compliance with state agriculture policy, review all agriculture budget issues and establish priorities for agriculture-related research and agency budgets, review all current statutes that affect agriculture, and review all agency rule-making authority for compliance with agriculture policy guidelines.
HB 453 was sent to the governor on May 2.
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A second bill of interest to TFB is SB 701 by Sen. Rodney Ellis and Rep. Sylvester Turner. The bill was signed into law by Gov. Perry on April 11 and went into effect immediately.
The bill adds some flexibility to a grant program for public elementary schools administered by the Texas Department of Agriculture. The grant program is targeted towards public elementary schools in large urban school districts for establishing demonstration agricultural projects. SB 701 adds "other projects designed to foster an understanding and awareness of agriculture" to the type of projects eligible to receive a $2,500 grant from TDA.
The bill also eliminates a provision that prevented TDA from awarding a grant to more than one school within the same district in a school year. In Harris County, for example, several public elementary schools were interested in participating in the grant program but were unable to do so because of the limitation.
(The TFB Austin Legislative staff may be reached at 512/472-8288.)
