SRC-PNG S.B. 448 76(R)BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research CenterS.B. 448 By: Duncan Agriculture 6/23/1999 Enrolled DIGEST Currently, boll weevil eradication programs in Texas have been financed primarily by cotton growers, with limited help from the federal government. Growers have formed, in cooperation with the Texas Department of Agriculture, eradication zones to fight the boll weevil. However, much work remains to be done, as less than 25 percent of the state's acres have begun eradication. This bill authorizes the commissioner of agriculture to expend funds appropriated by the legislature for the eradication of the boll weevil or pink bollworm in a cost-sharing program. PURPOSE As enrolled, S.B. 448 creates a cost-sharing program as part of the boll weevil eradication program. 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 74, Agriculture Code, by adding Subchapter E, as follows: SUBCHAPTER E. COST-SHARING FOR BOLL WEEVIL ERADICATION Sec. 74.151. DEFINITIONS. Defines "boll weevil," "pink bollworm," and "commissioner." Sec. 74.152. CREATION OF COST-SHARING PROGRAM. Creates a cost-sharing program to be administered under this chapter and rules adopted by the Agriculture Commissioner, as part of the program to eradicate the boll weevil and the pink bollworm. Sec. 74.153. COST-SHARING PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS. Authorizes the Agriculture Commissioner to contract to obtain boll weevil eradication services with certain entities. Authorizes the Department of Agriculture to spend money under the cost-sharing program only in certain zones. SECTION 2. Emergency clause. Effective date: upon passage.