BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	H.B. 1371
87R4994 MP-D	By: Guerra et al. (Lucio)
	Transportation
	5/3/2021
	Engrossed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

Agriculture inspections are critical to guarding both the agriculture industry and Texas consumers. The coupling of population increase and an upsurge in demand for fresh and healthy produce has put a burden on the agriculture inspection procedures at the Texas-Mexico ports of entry. Moreover, the shortage of agriculture inspectors at the Texas-Mexico border causes congestion�significant due to the slowdown of commerce and the delayed inspection of perishable produce.

The existing Trade Agricultural Inspection Grant Program�administered by the Texas Department of Agriculture�reduces wait times for agricultural inspections at ports of entry along the Texas border with the United Mexican States. Through a competitive selection process, the Trade Agricultural Inspection Grant Program awards grants to an experienced nonprofit organization that provides assistance with agricultural inspections along the Texas-Mexico border.

H.B. 1371 provides continued congestion relief at ports of entry along the Texas-Mexico border by seeking to extend the Trade Agricultural Inspection Grant Program, created by the Texas Legislature in 2015. Ultimately, this program provides additional agriculture inspectors along the Texas border with the United Mexican States, to reduce wait times for fresh produce.

H.B. 1371 amends current law relating to the continuation of the Trade Agricultural Inspection Grant Program.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Sections 12.050(k) and (l), Agriculture Code, as follows:

(k) Requires the Texas Department of Agriculture, not later than January 15, 2025, rather than January 15, 2021, to evaluate the performance of the Trade Agricultural Inspection Grant Program under Section 12.050 (Trade Agricultural Inspection Grant Program) and submit a report to the legislature.

(l) Provides that, unless continued in existence by the legislature, Section 12.050 expires September 1, 2025, rather than September 1, 2021.

SECTION 2. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2021.