SRC-HRD S.B. 1814 75(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 1814
By: Duncan
Natural Resources
5-6-97
As Filed


DIGEST 

Due to climatic conditions last winter and a lack of funding last year the
Texas Agriculture Extension Service is predicting 1.5 to 3 times more boll
weevils to emerge this season than last season.  Boll Weevils damage
cotton crops and as such pose a significant threat to the welfare of a
number of regions in Texas which depend largely on cotton.  In an effort
to improve the existing official cotton growers boll weevil eradication
program this bill would widen the existing area covered by the High Plains
Boll Weevil Suppression Program Area. 

PURPOSE

As proposed, S.B. 1814 expands the area covered by the High Plains Boll
Weevil Suppression Program Area. 

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 74.102, Agriculture Code, to redefine the "High
Plains Boll Weevil Suppression Program Area" to include, among others,
Andrews, Armstrong, Ector, Kent, and Randall counties. 

SECTION 2. Amends Section 74.113, Agriculture Code, to require the
foundation to determine the assessment needed in each eradication zone to
accomplish the following goal:  to ensure the stability of the cotton
industry by eradicating the public nuisance caused by the boll weevil.
Deletes existing goal.  Authorizes the maximum assessment to be paid by
cotton growers having production in the eradication zone to be based on
acres in production, acres available for production, projected cotton
production, actual cotton production, or an combination of the above, as
determined by referenda. Authorizes the assessment to be collected in one,
two, three, or four installments yearly, as determined by referenda.
Makes a conforming change. 

SECTION 3. Emergency clause.
  Effective date: upon passage.