1-1 By: Swinford, et al. (Senate Sponsor - Ogden) H.B. No. 2 1-2 (In the Senate - Received from the House April 30, 1999; 1-3 May 3, 1999, read first time and referred to Committee on Natural 1-4 Resources; May 10, 1999, reported favorably by the following vote: 1-5 Yeas 5, Nays 0; May 10, 1999, sent to printer.) 1-6 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED 1-7 AN ACT 1-8 relating to agriculture and state agricultural policy. 1-9 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: 1-10 SECTION 1. This Act shall be known as the Agriculture and 1-11 Rural Development Act of 1999. 1-12 SECTION 2. Title 1, Agriculture Code, is amended by adding 1-13 Chapter 2 to read as follows: 1-14 CHAPTER 2. STATE AGRICULTURAL POLICY 1-15 Sec. 2.001. DEFINITIONS. In this chapter, "agriculture" 1-16 means: 1-17 (1) the cultivation of the soil to produce crops; 1-18 (2) horticulture, floriculture, or viticulture; 1-19 (3) forestry; or 1-20 (4) the raising or keeping of livestock or poultry. 1-21 Sec. 2.002. FINDINGS. The legislature finds that: 1-22 (1) agriculture has been a critical element in the 1-23 economic, cultural, and historical development of this state; 1-24 (2) the impact of agriculture in this state is 1-25 declining, due to urbanization, economic changes, and changes in 1-26 agriculture; 1-27 (3) the effects of those changes are not limited to 1-28 rural areas and the agricultural community but affect citizens 1-29 throughout the state, including those in urban areas; 1-30 (4) agriculture is a vital component of a diversified 1-31 state economy and creates numerous businesses and job 1-32 opportunities; 1-33 (5) agriculture is directly and substantially affected 1-34 by factors beyond the control of the industry, including adverse 1-35 weather conditions and changes in world commodity markets; 1-36 (6) agriculture renews the natural resources of this 1-37 state through the annual production of crops and livestock; and 1-38 (7) to ensure that agriculture remains a vital force 1-39 in this state, the state must assess the condition of agriculture 1-40 and the role of state government and develop an agricultural policy 1-41 to guide governmental actions. 1-42 Sec. 2.003. POLICY. The agricultural policy of this state 1-43 must consider and address: 1-44 (1) water availability issues, including planning for 1-45 water supplies and drought preparedness and response; 1-46 (2) transportation issues, including the 1-47 farm-to-market road system and intermodal transportation; 1-48 (3) state regulatory issues; 1-49 (4) state tax policy; 1-50 (5) the availability of capital, including state loans 1-51 or grants authorized by Section 52-a, Article III, Texas 1-52 Constitution; 1-53 (6) the promotion of Texas agricultural products, 1-54 including development of domestic and foreign markets; 1-55 (7) eradication or control of injurious pests and 1-56 diseases that affect crops and livestock; 1-57 (8) research and education efforts, including 1-58 financial risk management and consumer education and education in 1-59 the public schools; 1-60 (9) promotion of efficient utilization of soil and 1-61 water resources; 1-62 (10) rural economic and infrastructure development; 1-63 (11) protection of property rights and the right to 1-64 farm; 2-1 (12) preservation of farmland; 2-2 (13) food safety; 2-3 (14) efforts to participate in the formulation of 2-4 federal programs and policies; 2-5 (15) promotion of rural fire service; and 2-6 (16) promotion of value-added agricultural 2-7 enterprises. 2-8 SECTION 3. The legislature shall conduct a comprehensive 2-9 study of the condition of agriculture, the state's current programs 2-10 in support of agriculture, and the role of the state in preserving 2-11 the agriculture industry. The study shall be conducted in a manner 2-12 determined by the lieutenant governor and the speaker of the house 2-13 of representatives, with the assistance of the Texas Department of 2-14 Agriculture, the comptroller, the Texas Department of Economic 2-15 Development, and other agencies and institutions of higher 2-16 education as determined by the lieutenant governor and the speaker 2-17 of the house of representatives. 2-18 SECTION 4. The importance of this legislation and the 2-19 crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an 2-20 emergency and an imperative public necessity that the 2-21 constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several 2-22 days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended, 2-23 and that this Act take effect and be in force from and after its 2-24 passage, and it is so enacted. 2-25 * * * * *