SRC-MKV H.B. 1687 77(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   H.B. 1687
77R3800 BDH-DBy: Kolkhorst (Ogden)
Natural Resources
4/28/2001
Engrossed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

Currently, the Texas Animal Health Commission (commission) is not expressly
authorized to accept a gift, grant, or donation or to assist in the
development, support, and oversight of food safety and quality assurance
programs.  H. B.1687 authorizes the commission to accept a gift, grant, or
donation, and to use their expertise to assist in quality assurance
programs if an organization the commission regulates requests assistance.  

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a
state officer, institution, or agency. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Chapter 161B, Agriculture Code, by adding Section
161.0311, as follows: 

Sec. 161.0311.  ACCEPTANCE OF GIFTS AND GRANTS.  Authorizes the Texas
Animal Health Commission (commission) to solicit and accept gifts, grants,
and donations for the purposes of this chapter. 

SECTION 2.  Amends Chapter 161C, Agriculture Code, by adding Section
161.059, as follows: 

Sec. 161.059.  QUALITY ASSURANCE ASSISTANCE.  Authorizes the commission, on
request of an organization representing producers of a commodity in an
industry regulated by the commission, to assist in the development,
support, and oversight of a food safety or quality assurance program,
including the provision of testing services. 

SECTION 3.  Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2001.