By Uher                                               H.B. No. 1313
       74R5253 KLL-D
                                 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
    1-1                                AN ACT
    1-2  relating to the Texas Seafood-Linked Industries Research,
    1-3  Educational, and Consumer Safety Program; making an appropriation.
    1-4        BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
    1-5        SECTION 1.  Chapter 436, Health and Safety Code, is amended
    1-6  by adding Subchapter J to read as follows:
    1-7       SUBCHAPTER J.  TEXAS SEAFOOD-LINKED INDUSTRIES RESEARCH,
    1-8               EDUCATIONAL, AND CONSUMER SAFETY PROGRAM
    1-9        Sec. 436.131.  PROGRAM.  (a)  The Texas A&M University Sea
   1-10  Grant Program shall develop and administer a program related to
   1-11  seafood-linked industries.
   1-12        (b)  The program developed under this section shall prepare,
   1-13  distribute, and present various industry assessments, economic
   1-14  analyses, and market research efforts to help the industry maintain
   1-15  its economic vitality and competitive position in national and
   1-16  international marketplaces.  Activities under this subsection may
   1-17  include:
   1-18              (1)  estimating the employment and payroll attributable
   1-19  to seafood-linked businesses;
   1-20              (2)  forecasting annual production and income when
   1-21  extraordinary events affect production stock;  and
   1-22              (3)  examining the structure, conduct, and performance
   1-23  of seafood production and processing industries.
   1-24        (c)  The program developed under this section shall conduct
    2-1  and present the results of applied research and educational
    2-2  activities that focus on designing and implementing systems for
    2-3  food retailers that are effective and labor-efficient, that
    2-4  preserve seafood quality, and that stress safety.
    2-5        (d)  The program developed under this section shall develop
    2-6  and present a variety of training opportunities for seafood
    2-7  processors and importers in the use of the hazard analysis critical
    2-8  control point system as requested by the United States Food and
    2-9  Drug Administration to ensure seafood safety.
   2-10        (e)  The program developed under this section shall develop
   2-11  and distribute printed or electronic materials that are objective
   2-12  and based on scientific fact to educate the public on topics
   2-13  related to the quality and safety of the seafood supply.
   2-14        Sec. 436.132.  ADVISORY COMMITTEE.  (a)  A technical advisory
   2-15  committee shall assist the Texas A&M University Sea Grant Program
   2-16  in developing and administering the program established under this
   2-17  subchapter.
   2-18        (b)  Advisory committee members serve two-year terms.
   2-19        (c)  The governor shall appoint one member to the advisory
   2-20  committee from each list submitted by the executive head of the
   2-21  following associations:
   2-22              (1)  the Texas Food Industry Association;
   2-23              (2)  the Texas Restaurant Association;
   2-24              (3)  the Texas Shrimp Association;  and
   2-25              (4)  the Texas Aquaculture Association.
   2-26        (d)  The governor may reject a list submitted under
   2-27  Subsection (c)  and require another list to be submitted.
    3-1        (e)  The governor shall also appoint the following members to
    3-2  the advisory committee:
    3-3              (1)  a representative of the Texas grocery industry;
    3-4              (2)  a representative of the Texas seafood processing
    3-5  industry;  and
    3-6              (3)  a representative of the Texas bay seafood
    3-7  industry.
    3-8        (f)  A representative from the Texas Agricultural Extension
    3-9  Service and the Texas Department of Health, chosen by the executive
   3-10  head of each agency,  shall also serve on the advisory committee.
   3-11        (g)  Article 6252-33, Revised Statutes, does not apply to the
   3-12  advisory committee.
   3-13        Sec. 436.133.  ANNUAL REPORT.  The Texas A&M University Sea
   3-14  Grant Program shall develop annual progress reports for
   3-15  distribution to the legislature and the advisory committee.
   3-16        SECTION 2.  The sum of $450,000 is appropriated from the
   3-17  general revenue fund to the Texas A&M University Sea Grant Program
   3-18  for the fiscal biennium beginning September 1, 1995, for the
   3-19  purposes provided by Subchapter J, Chapter 436, Health and Safety
   3-20  Code, as added by this Act.
   3-21        SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 1995.
   3-22        SECTION 4.  The importance of this legislation and the
   3-23  crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an
   3-24  emergency and an imperative public necessity that the
   3-25  constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several
   3-26  days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended.