HBA-RAR, BTC H.B. 128 76(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 128
By: McClendon
Corrections
2/8/1999
Introduced



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Currently, the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (department) is
authorized to use surplus agricultural capacity to provide agricultural
products to nonprofit organizations.  H.B.128 seeks to increase the amount
of agricultural products available to food banks.  It encourages the
department to enter into agreements with food banks and authorizes food
banks to supply seed and fertilizer to the department for the production of
agricultural products to be provided to the food banks.  

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.  Amends Section 497.113, Government Code, by adding Subsection
(d), to encourage the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (department) to
enter into agreements with nonprofit food banks.  Authorizes food banks to
supply seed and fertilizer to the department which will grow agricultural
products and provide the produce to the food bank.  Defines "nonprofit food
bank."  

SECTION 2.  Emergency clause.
            Effective date: upon passage.