HBA-JRA H.B. 2 76(R) BILL ANALYSIS Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 2 By: Swinford Agriculture & Livestock 3/16/1999 Introduced BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Agriculture is a major component in Texas' economy, creating numerous job opportunities for Texans. Texas currently lacks a consistent statewide policy addressing the agriculture industry, from production to processing, and ensuring the economic survival of agricultural industries and businesses. H.B. 2 sets forth legislative findings and policy for encouraging and supporting the promotion and purchase of Texas agricultural products and requires the Department of Agriculture, the Texas Department of Economic Development, and each public senior college or university to conduct agriculture-related studies and report the results by January 1, 2001. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Provides that this Act shall be known as the Agriculture and Rural Development Act of 1999. SECTION 2. Amends Title 1, Agriculture Code, by adding Chapter 2, as follows: CHAPTER 2. STATE AGRICULTURAL POLICY Sec. 2.001. FINDINGS. Sets forth legislative findings. Sec. 2.002. POLICY. (a) Requires the state to encourage and support the promotion and purchase of Texas agricultural products throughout this state, the nation, and the world. (b) Provides that the state must ensure that agricultural interests are appropriately represented in state water planning activities. (c) Requires the state to support efforts to control and eradicate injurious pests and diseases that adversely affect crops and livestock. (d) Requires the state to promote rural economic development activities. (e) Requires the state to maintain a comprehensive surface transportation system, including a farm-to-market system for agricultural products. (f) Requires the state to treat forestry as an agricultural enterprise. (g) Requires the state to promote efficient utilization of soil and water resources. (h) Requires the state to promote agricultural research through state universities, agricultural extension service and experiment stations, and private research entities. (i) Requires the state to promote a rural fire service. (j) Requires the state to provide scientific, research-based environmental regulation of agriculture that protects the health, safety, and development interests of this state. (k) Requires the state to protect private property rights and the right to farm. (l) Requires the state to provide planning and assistance to value-added agriculture initiatives. (m) Requires the state to encourage and support food safety. (n) Requires the state to adopt a tax policy that encourages agricultural businesses and development. (o) Requires the state to ensure that the public school curriculum regarding agriculture is balanced and factual. (p) Requires the state to provide loans and grants of money to foster the growth of agricultural enterprises and innovation consistent with Section 52-a, Article III, Texas Constitution (Assistance to Encourage State Economic Development). SECTION 3. (a) Requires the Department of Agriculture to conduct a study of the agriculture industry in this state, including value-added processing, and prepare a strategic plan and recommendations to promote the development of agriculture in this state. Provides that the study must include an inventory of agricultural value-added processors in this state. Limits the cost of the study to $50,000 and provides that it is payable from appropriated funds. (b) Requires the Department of Agriculture to submit a written report of the study, strategic plan, and recommendations of the study to the governor, lieutenant governor, and speaker of the house of representatives by January 1, 2001. SECTION 4. (a) Requires the Texas Department of Economic Development to conduct a study of the textile industry in this state and prepare a strategic plan and recommendations to promote the development of the textile industry in this state. Limits the cost of the study to $30,000 and provides that it is payable from appropriated funds. (b) Requires the Texas Department of Economic Development to submit a written report of the study, strategic plan, and recommendations of the study to the governor, lieutenant governor, and speaker of the house of representatives by January 1, 2001. SECTION 5. Requires each public senior college or university, for each of the 10 most recent state fiscal years preceding September 1, 2000, to prepare a written report of the total amount of money spent by the university for agricultural research in cooperation with private entities. Requires each state university to submit the report to the governor, lieutenant governor, and speaker of the house of representatives by January 1, 2001. SECTION 6.Emergency clause. Effective date: upon passage.