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.