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.