SRC-MAX S.B. 1576 75(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 1576
By: Bivins
Natural Resources
6-30-97
As Filed


DIGEST 

Currently, the law requires a biennial cost-benefit study to be performed
on all agricultural finance programs under the Texas Agricultural Finance
Authority (TAFA).  The TAFA board has determined that such a study does
not accomplish the legislative intent of analyzing the effectiveness of
the agriculture loan programs.  TAFA hopes to establish two performance
measures that would be incorporated into the appropriations act in order
to more accurately gauge the benefits of the agricultural finance
programs.  This bill requires two performance measures that provide
certain information to be developed by TAFA in conjunction with certain
other governmental agencies. 

PURPOSE

As proposed, S.B. 1576 requires certain performance measures to be
developed in order to measure the effectiveness of agricultural loan
programs.   

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 58.017, Agriculture Code, as follows:

Sec. 58.017.  New heading:  PERFORMANCE MEASURES.  Requires the board of
directors of the Texas Agricultural Finance Authority, in conjunction with
certain governmental entities, to develop a minimum of two performance
measures that provide information on the benefits of  the Texas
Agricultural Finance Authority's loan programs. Requires the performance
measures to be included in the report required under Section 58.016(d) of
this code or as a component of the measures incorporated into the
appropriations act.  Deletes existing Subsections (a) through (c)
regarding a biennial costbenefit study.    

SECTION 2. Emergency clause.
  Effective date:  90 days after adjournment.