SRC-JFA S.B. 469 75(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research CenterS.B. 469 By: Duncan Natural Resources 4-2-97 As Filed DIGEST Currently, Chapter 41 of the Agriculture Code regulates commodity producers boards such as the Texas Soybean Producers Board (TSPB). A nationwide, non-refundable soybean checkoff of one half percent of the sale price of soybeans was approved by a national referendum of affected producers. The U.S. Department of Agriculture created the United Soybean Board to administer the national program. The TSPB previously administered a refundable statewide check-off. This bill would make the TSPB inactive under Section 41.126 of the Agriculture Code to avoid any conflict with existing federal law in regard to the check-off. PURPOSE As proposed, S.B. 469 provides that the Texas Soybean Producers Board is inactive as provided by Section 41.126, Agriculture Code, relating to the powers and duties of commodity producers boards, until reactivated under Section 41.127, Agriculture Code, relating to the reactivation of such boards. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY This bill does not grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Section 41.125(b), Agriculture Code, to provide that the Texas Soybean Producers Board, along with the Southern Rolling Plains Cotton Producers Board, is inactive as provided by Section 41.126, Agriculture Code, until reactivated under Section 41.127, Agriculture Code. Provides that neither board is abolished and that a referendum election under Chapter 41C is not required to reactivate either board. Makes conforming changes. SECTION 2. Amends Section 41.126, Agriculture Code, to prohibit the Texas Soybean Producers Board from exercising any powers under this chapter after the end of the board's 1997 fiscal year other than preparing and submitting the fiscal year 1997 report required by Section 41.059(c), Agriculture Code. Makes conforming changes. SECTION 3. Emergency clause. Effective date: upon passage.