Enrolled Bill Summary

House Bill 2996	House Author:  Miles
Effective:  Vetoed	Senate Sponsor:  Estes

            House Bill 2996 amends the Agriculture Code to create the Texas Urban Agricultural Innovation Authority within the Department of Agriculture as a public authority to promote the creation and expansion of urban agricultural projects in Texas.  The bill provides for the  administration of the authority and exempts the authority from taxation.  The bill also sets out provisions establishing the urban farmer interest rate reduction program and urban farmer grant program.

            Reason Given for Veto: "House Bill 2996 would create the Texas Urban Agricultural Innovation Authority, Urban Farmer Interest Rate Reduction Program and Urban Farmer Grant Program in the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA). At a time when state agencies have been asked to tighten their belts in response to difficult budget times, House Bill 2996 would likely necessitate an entirely new division within TDA.  While the Texas Urban Agricultural Innovation Authority is not appropriated state funds, it is given broad power and would likely require substantial agency staffing."