R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, Nationally, Texas ranks as the second-leading state 1-2 in agricultural production, providing a vast array of food, fiber, 1-3 and horticulture products to Texans, to other states, and to 1-4 countries around the world; and 1-5 WHEREAS, One in five Texans is employed in some form of 1-6 agriculture, and agricultural commodities add approximately $14 1-7 billion to the state's economy, making agriculture the second 1-8 largest industry in Texas; and 1-9 WHEREAS, Years of severe drought, dramatic increases in the 1-10 costs of production, and depressed prices have left Texas 1-11 agriculture in a fragile condition; studies show that net farm 1-12 income is likely to drop 20 percent over the next two years, 1-13 squeezing farmers into a corner and threatening Texas' rural 1-14 economies; and 1-15 WHEREAS, Texas agriculture is more dependent than other 1-16 industries on various forms of energy, including diesel to power 1-17 machinery; electricity for animal and crop production operations; 1-18 natural gas for irrigation and to heat crops and livestock; and 1-19 petroleum-based chemicals and fertilizers; and 1-20 WHEREAS, Natural gas prices have increased more than 300 1-21 percent over the last few months, causing many producers to sink 1-22 deeper into debt and forcing some producers out of business; now, 1-23 therefore, be it 1-24 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 77th Texas 2-1 Legislature hereby encourage natural gas and energy suppliers to 2-2 negotiate in good faith with agricultural producers to help develop 2-3 strategies to prevent the disruption of utility services and to 2-4 preclude the termination of other necessary uses of energy by 2-5 producers across the state; and, be it further 2-6 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 77th Texas 2-7 Legislature hereby encourage energy suppliers to forgive any 2-8 penalties, fees, interest, or finance charges relating to late 2-9 payments or disruption of service, or to negotiate with consumers 2-10 to provide payment plans for these penalties, fees, interest, or 2-11 finance charges. Christian Swinford Lewis of Orange Hawley Brown of Kaufman Green Hardcastle Hope Hupp Kolkhorst McReynolds Miller Williams _______________________________ Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 359 was adopted by the House on April 20, 2001, by a non-record vote. _______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House