SRC-PNG S.B. 448 76(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 448
76R5915 DB-DBy: Duncan
Agriculture
2/15/1999
As Filed


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 would authorize 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 proposed, S.B. 448 creates a cost-sharing program as part of the boll
weevil eradication program. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

Rulemaking authority is granted to the agriculture commissioner in SECTION
1 (Section 74.152, Agriculture Code) of this bill. 

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.  Prohibits the Department of Agriculture
(department) from providing funding for the service at a rate exceeding the
rate set in the General Appropriations Act.  Authorizes the department to
spend money under the cost-sharing program only in certain zones. 

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