HBA-BSM H.B. 499 77(R) BILL ANALYSIS Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 499 By: Swinford Agriculture & Livestock 2/14/2001 Introduced BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Legislation enacted by the 76th Legislature required the legislature to conduct a comprehensive study of the condition of agriculture in Texas, including programs supporting agriculture and the role of the state in preserving the agriculture industry. House Bill 499 incorporates the policy statements recommended by the Joint Agricultural Policy Committee into the Agriculture Code to serve as guidelines for future development of agricultural policy. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution. ANALYSIS House Bill 499 amends the Agriculture Code to elaborate on the agriculture policy of Texas and to provide methods by which the policy set forth is to be accomplished. EFFECTIVE DATE On passage, or if the Act does not receive the necessary vote, the Act takes effect September 1, 2001.