By Swinford H.B. No. 2
76R8638 BDH-D
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
1-1 AN ACT
1-2 relating to agricultural policy, assistance, and opportunities.
1-3 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
1-4 SECTION 1. This Act shall be known as the Agriculture and
1-5 Rural Development Act of 1999.
1-6 SECTION 2. Title 1, Agriculture Code, is amended by adding
1-7 Chapter 2 to read as follows:
1-8 CHAPTER 2. STATE AGRICULTURAL POLICY
1-9 Sec. 2.001. FINDINGS. The legislature finds that:
1-10 (1) agriculture is a vital component of a diversified
1-11 state economy;
1-12 (2) agricultural industries and businesses create
1-13 numerous job opportunities;
1-14 (3) agriculture is more directly and substantially
1-15 affected by adverse weather conditions and water availability than
1-16 other industries;
1-17 (4) agriculture renews the natural resources of this
1-18 state by the annual production of crops and livestock;
1-19 (5) the majority of raw agricultural products in this
1-20 state are exported for value-added processing;
1-21 (6) access to capital is essential for the success of
1-22 agriculture; and
1-23 (7) access to an efficient transportation system is
1-24 essential for the success of agriculture.
2-1 Sec. 2.002. POLICY. (a) The state shall encourage and
2-2 support the promotion and purchase of Texas agricultural products
2-3 throughout this state, the nation, and the world.
2-4 (b) The state must ensure that agricultural interests are
2-5 appropriately represented in state water planning activities.
2-6 (c) The state shall support efforts to control and eradicate
2-7 injurious pests and diseases that adversely affect crops and
2-8 livestock.
2-9 (d) The state shall promote rural economic development
2-10 activities.
2-11 (e) The state shall maintain a comprehensive surface
2-12 transportation system, including a farm-to-market system for
2-13 agricultural products.
2-14 (f) The state shall treat forestry as an agricultural
2-15 enterprise.
2-16 (g) The state shall promote efficient utilization of soil
2-17 and water resources.
2-18 (h) The state shall promote agricultural research through
2-19 state universities, agricultural extension service and experiment
2-20 stations, and private research entities.
2-21 (i) The state shall promote a rural fire service.
2-22 (j) The state shall provide scientific, research-based
2-23 environmental regulation of agriculture that protects the health,
2-24 safety, and development interests of this state.
2-25 (k) The state shall protect private property rights and the
2-26 right to farm.
2-27 (l) The state shall provide planning and assistance to
3-1 value-added agriculture initiatives.
3-2 (m) The state shall encourage and support food safety.
3-3 (n) The state shall adopt a tax policy that encourages
3-4 agricultural businesses and development.
3-5 (o) The state shall ensure that the public school curriculum
3-6 regarding agriculture is balanced and factual.
3-7 (p) The state shall provide loans and grants of money to
3-8 foster the growth of agricultural enterprises and innovation
3-9 consistent with Section 52-a, Article III, Texas Constitution.
3-10 SECTION 3. (a) The Department of Agriculture shall conduct
3-11 a study of the agriculture industry in this state, including
3-12 value-added processing, and prepare a strategic plan and
3-13 recommendations to promote the development of agriculture in this
3-14 state. The study must include an inventory of agricultural
3-15 value-added processors in this state. The cost of the study may
3-16 not exceed $50,000 and is payable from funds appropriated for the
3-17 purpose.
3-18 (b) The Department of Agriculture shall submit a written
3-19 report of the study, strategic plan, and recommendations of the
3-20 study to the governor, lieutenant governor, and speaker of the
3-21 house of representatives not later than January 1, 2001.
3-22 SECTION 4. (a) The Texas Department of Economic Development
3-23 shall conduct a study of the textile industry in this state and
3-24 prepare a strategic plan and recommendations to promote the
3-25 development of the textile industry in this state. The cost of the
3-26 study may not exceed $30,000 and is payable from funds appropriated
3-27 for the purpose.
4-1 (b) The Texas Department of Economic Development shall
4-2 submit a written report of the study, strategic plan, and
4-3 recommendations of the study to the governor, lieutenant governor,
4-4 and speaker of the house of representatives not later than January
4-5 1, 2001.
4-6 SECTION 5. For each of the 10 most recent state fiscal years
4-7 preceding September 1, 2000, each public senior college or
4-8 university, as defined by Section 61.003, Education Code, shall
4-9 prepare a written report of the total amount of money spent by the
4-10 university for agricultural research in cooperation with private
4-11 entities. Each state university shall submit the report to the
4-12 governor, lieutenant governor, and speaker of the house of
4-13 representatives not later than January 1, 2001.
4-14 SECTION 6. The importance of this legislation and the
4-15 crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an
4-16 emergency and an imperative public necessity that the
4-17 constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several
4-18 days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended,
4-19 and that this Act take effect and be in force from and after its
4-20 passage, and it is so enacted.