HBA-BSM H.B. 1687 77(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 1687
By: Kolkhorst
Agriculture & Livestock
7/19/2001
Enrolled



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Prior to the 77th Legislature,  the Texas Animal Health Commission
(commission) was not expressly authorized to accept a gift, grant, or
donation or assist in the development, support, and oversight of food
safety and quality assurance programs.  House  Bill 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

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 1687 amends the Agriculture Code to authorize the Texas Animal
Health Commission (commission) to solicit and accept gifts, grants, and
donations for the purpose of animal disease and pest control.  The bill
requires the commission to report to the legislature by December 31 of each
year the source and amount of each gift, grant, and donation received.  The
bill also authorizes the commission to assist in the development, support,
and oversight of a food safety or quality assurance program, including the
provision of testing services if requested by an organization representing
producers of a commodity regulated by the commission. 

EFFECTIVE DATE

May 28, 2001.