HBA-SEP H.B. 2390 77(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 2390
By: Turner, Bob
Agriculture & Livestock
3/13/2001
Introduced



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Current law does not prohibit the sale or distribution of salt cedar, an
ornamental Asian shrub that was introduced into the western United States
in the early 1800s.  A mature salt cedar can consume as much as 200 gallons
of water a day and has the ability to change its physical environment by
increasing surface soil salinity which inhibits the growth of native plants
and increases the possibility of fire.  By harming native habitat, salt
cedar may also adversely affect native mammals and birds along Texas
rivers.  House Bill 2390 provides that a person commits a Class C
misdemeanor if the person sells or distributes salt cedar or salt cedar
products.  

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 2390 amends the Agriculture Code to provide that a person
commits a Class C misdemeanor if the person sells or distributes salt cedar
or salt cedar products, including salt cedar seeds, seedlings, or mulch and
that a person commits a separate offense for each plant or plant product
item or unit sold or distributed.  

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2001.