SRC-PNG C.S.S.B. 1304 76(R)BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research CenterC.S.S.B. 1304 By: Brown Agriculture 4/14/1999 Committee Report (Substituted) DIGEST Aflatoxin is a toxic mold by-product that grows on corn, sorghum, and oilseeds. There is a strong concern that aflatoxin contaminated corn is occasionally sold as deer corn, or wildlife feed, if the aflatoxin contamination levels are too high in the grains for more closely regulated markets using those corn products. Birds, including turkey and quail, are particularly susceptible to aflatoxin poisoning, in which very small doses can be lethal. However, larger whitetail deer can suffer liver damage over a period of time from contaminated products. This bill would control aflatoxin contamination levels in certain products. PURPOSE As proposed, C.S.S.B. 1304 controls aflatoxin contamination levels in certain products. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY Rulemaking authority is granted to the Texas Feed and Fertilizer Control Service in SECTION 2 (Section 141.007, Agriculture Code) of this bill. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Section 141.002, Chapter 141A, Agriculture Code, by adding Subsection (e), to provide that whole seed and whole grain offered for retail sale for wildlife seed are commercial feeds subject to this chapter. SECTION 2. Amends Chapter 141A, Agriculture Code, by adding Section 141.007, as follows: Sec. 141.007. AFLATOXIN CONTROL. Requires the Texas Feed and Fertilizer Control Service (service) to establish, by rule, aflatoxin contamination levels considered safe for whole seed and whole grain offered for retail sale for wildlife feed. SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 1999. SECTION 4. Emergency clause. SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE CHANGES Relating clause. Amends the relating clause to delete text stating that this bill relates to providing a criminal penalty concerning aflatoxin contamination. SECTION 1. Amends Section 141.002, Chapter 141A, Agriculture Code, by adding Subsection (e), to provide that whole seed and whole grain offered for retail sale for wildlife seed are commercial feeds subject to this chapter. Redesignates proposed SECTION 1 as SECTION 2. SECTION 2. Amends Section 141.007, Chapter 141A, Agriculture Code, to require the service to establish, by rule, aflatoxin contamination levels considered safe for whole seed and whole grain offered for retail sale for wildlife feed. Deletes proposed text authorizing the service to establish rules concerning aflatoxin contamination levels. Deletes proposed SECTIONS 2 and 3. Redesignates proposed SECTIONS 4 and 5 as SECTIONS 3 and 4.