SRC-MKV S.B. 270 77(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 270
77R3053 SGA-FBy: Lindsay
Natural Resources
2/21/2001
As Filed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

Currently, the North Harris County Regional Water Authority is authorizes
to charge the owner of a well located within its boundaries a fee on the
amount of water pumped from the well. However, they are prohibited from
applying the fee to a well "used for the irrigation of agricultural crops."
Nursery products and florist items in the hands of the producer are
considered agricultural products in various laws, rules, and regulations,
but such producers are continually having to defend their position as
producers of agricultural crops.  S.B. 270 expands the definition of
"agricultural crop" to include "nursery products and florist items in the
hands of a nursery grower."   

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 Section 1.02(11), Chapter 1029, Acts of the 76th
Legislature, Regular Session, 1999, to redefine "agricultural crop" to
include a nursery product or florist item as defined by Section 71.041
(Definitions), Agricultural Code, that is grown in the soil or in any
medium in a container by a nursery grower as defined by Section 71.041,
Agricultural Code. 

SECTION 2.  Effective date: September 1, 2001.