SRC-JJJ H.B. 2631 76(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research CenterH.B. 2631 By: Turner, Sylvester (Ellis) Natural Resources 5/3/1999 Engrossed DIGEST Currently, urban school children in Texas are suffering from a lack of knowledge of agriculture, even though many schools have agriculture as part of their curriculum. Textbooks and lectures are marginally effective in teaching children about agriculture. Demonstrations and hands-on participation are the most effective means of teaching children about agriculture. H.B. 2631 would create a grant program at the Texas Department of Agriculture to be used by elementary schools in large urban public school districts for the purpose of establishing demonstration agriculture projects. PURPOSE As proposed, H.B. 2631 creates a grant program at the Texas Department of Agriculture to be used by elementary schools in large urban public school districts for the purpose of establishing demonstration agriculture projects. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY Rulemaking authority is granted to the Department of Agriculture in SECTION 1 (Section 46.001, Agriculture Code) of this bill. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Title 3, Agriculture Code, by adding Chapter 46, as follows: CHAPTER 46. AGRICULTURAL PROJECTS IN CERTAIN URBAN SCHOOLS Sec. 46.001. CREATION. Requires the Department of Agriculture (department), by rule, to develop a program to award grants to public elementary schools located in large urban school districts for the purpose of establishing demonstration agricultural projects. Sec. 46.002. ELIGIBILITY. Sets forth the requirements for a public elementary school to be eligible to receive a grant under this chapter, subject to available funds. Sec. 46.003. LIMITS. Prohibits a grant awarded to a school under this chapter from exceeding $2,500, and from awarding a grant to more than one school within the same school district in a school year. Sec. 46.004. REPORT. Requires a school that receives a grant under this chapter to report the results of the project to the department in a manner determined by the department. Sec. 46.005. FUNDS. Authorizes the department to solicit and accept gifts, grants, and other donations from any source to carry out this chapter. SECTION 2. Emergency clause. Effective date: upon passage.