By Kolkhorst, Keffer, Hardcastle, Hopson, Swinford    H.B. No. 1687
         77R3800 BDH-D                           
                                A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 1-1                                   AN ACT
 1-2     relating to the powers and duties of the Texas Animal Health
 1-3     Commission.
 1-4           BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
 1-5           SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 161, Agriculture Code, is
 1-6     amended by adding Section 161.0311 to read as follows:
 1-7           Sec. 161.0311.  ACCEPTANCE OF GIFTS AND GRANTS. The
 1-8     commission may solicit and accept gifts, grants, and donations for
 1-9     the purposes of this chapter.
1-10           SECTION 2. Subchapter C, Chapter 161, Agriculture Code, is
1-11     amended by adding Section 161.059 to read as follows:
1-12           Sec. 161.059.  QUALITY ASSURANCE ASSISTANCE. On request of an
1-13     organization representing producers of a commodity in an industry
1-14     regulated by the commission, the commission may assist in the
1-15     development, support, and oversight of a food safety or quality
1-16     assurance program, including the provision of testing services.
1-17           SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
1-18     a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
1-19     provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this
1-20     Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
1-21     Act takes effect September 1, 2001.