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.