By Wise H.B. No. 2367 75R7277 MWV-D A BILL TO BE ENTITLED 1-1 AN ACT 1-2 relating to the preservation of farmland. 1-3 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: 1-4 SECTION 1. Title 7, Agriculture Code, is amended by adding 1-5 Chapter 204 to read as follows: 1-6 CHAPTER 204. PRESERVATION OF FARMLAND 1-7 Sec. 204.001. DEFINITIONS. In this chapter: 1-8 (1) "Director" means the director of the division. 1-9 (2) "Division" means the division of farmland 1-10 preservation of the department. 1-11 Sec. 204.002. DIRECTOR. The commissioner shall appoint the 1-12 director of the division. 1-13 Sec. 204.003. PUBLIC EDUCATION RESPONSIBILITY. The division 1-14 shall educate the public regarding the importance of the 1-15 preservation of farmland in this state. 1-16 Sec. 204.004. INVESTIGATIONS AND REPORTS. (a) The division 1-17 shall conduct studies and gather information regarding the 1-18 preservation of farmland in this state. 1-19 (b) The director shall report annually to the commissioner 1-20 regarding efforts of the division and other persons to preserve 1-21 farmland in this state. 1-22 Sec. 204.005. PRESERVATION. To encourage the preservation 1-23 of farmland in this state, the division shall cooperate with local 1-24 governments, universities, nonprofit organizations, and other 2-1 groups with an interest in the preservation of farmland. 2-2 Sec. 204.006. PRESERVATION SOCIETIES. The division shall 2-3 encourage the development of farmland preservation societies. 2-4 Sec. 204.007. AUTHORITY TO ACCEPT GIFTS. The department is 2-5 authorized to accept gifts, grants, and donations in behalf of the 2-6 division. 2-7 SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 1997. 2-8 SECTION 3. The importance of this legislation and the 2-9 crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an 2-10 emergency and an imperative public necessity that the 2-11 constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several 2-12 days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended.