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.