SRC-JBJ H.B. 3277 76(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   H.B. 3277
By: Cook (Armbrister)
Natural Resources
5/3/1999
Engrossed


DIGEST 

Currently, the agriculture industry contributes significantly to the
economy of the Gulf Coast region. An advisory committee to the Texas
Agricultural Experiment Station could advise the station concerning
research on agricultural production and its effect on water use and
availability and wildlife habitats in the Gulf Cost region.  The Experiment
Station would administer the research program and solicit and create
funding programs for agricultural and wildlife research.  H.B. 3277 would
establish the Agriculture and Wildlife Research and Management Advisory
Committee and would direct the Experiment Station to administer certain
research programs. 

PURPOSE

As proposed, H.B. 3277 creates the Agriculture and Wildlife Research and
Management Advisory Committee and directs the Texas Agricultural Experiment
Station to administer certain research programs. 

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 Chapter 88C, Education Code, by adding Section 88.216,
as follows: 

Sec. 88.216.  AGRICULTURE AND WILDLIFE RESEARCH AND MANAGEMENT ADVISORY
COMMITTEE;  OTHER AGENCIES.  Provides that the Agriculture and Wildlife
Research and Management Advisory Committee (committee ) is an advisory
committee of the Texas Agricultural Experiment Station (station), and sets
forth the composition, terms of office for members, and meeting
requirements of the advisory committee.  Prohibits the advisory committee
from exceeding 20 percent of the total amount of funds available for
expenditure by the advisory committee.  Provides that the members are not
entitled to compensation for service on the committee or travel
reimbursements, except that a member who represents a university or state
agency may receive any reimbursement for travel expenses to which the
member is otherwise entitled.  Sets forth duties of the advisory committee
and the station.  Requires the Texas Agricultural Extension Service to
provide educational programs relating to agriculture production, water use,
and wildlife habitats, and relating to public awareness of those
activities.   
SECTION 2.  Amends Title 3, Agriculture Code, by adding Chapter 46, as
follows: 

CHAPTER 46.  AGRICULTURE AND WILDLIFE RESEARCH PROGRAM.

Sec. 46.001.  PROGRAM.  Requires the committee and the station to develop
and administer a program to finance agriculture and wildlife research that
the station determines to be of the highest scientific merit and to offer
significant promise in providing new directions for longterm solutions to
continued agriculture production, water availability, and wildlife habitat
availability.   

Sec. 46.002.  TERM OF AWARD.  Requires an award under Section 46.001 to be
granted for a two-year period and to be extended at the end of that period
after review. 
 
Sec. 46.003.  FUNDS.  The station may solicit and accept gifts and grants
from any public or  private source.  Provides that the use of the gift or
grant is subject to the limitations contained in the gifts.   

Sec. 46.004.  ANNUAL ACCOUNTING.  Requires the station to provide an annual
accounting of all money received, awarded, and expended during the year to
certain legislative committees. 

SECTION 3.  Requires the station to provide a report to the lieutenant
governor, speaker of the house of representatives, and certain legislative
committees, by a certain date.  Sets forth information that must be
contained in the report. 

SECTION 4.Emergency clause.
  Effective date: upon passage.