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


Senate Research CenterC.S.S.B. 270
77R5303 SGA-FBy: Lindsay
Natural Resources
2/28/2001
Committee Report (Substituted)


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

Currently, the North Harris County Regional Water Authority is authorized
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.  C.S.S.B. 270 expands the definition of
"agricultural crop" and adds definitions for "florist item," "nursery
grower," and "nursery product." 

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, Chapter 1029, Acts of the 76th
Legislature, Regular Session, 1999, to redefine "agricultural crop" and to
define "florist item," "nursery grower," and "nursery product." 

SECTION 2.  Effective date: September 1, 2001.

SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE CHANGES

Differs from original by adding definitions of "florist item," "nursery
grower," and "nursery product," and by redefining "agricultural crop" to
include a nursery product or florist item while in the hands of a nursery
grower.