SRC-JLB S.B. 1123 78(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 1123
78R7392 AKH-DBy: Staples
Subcommittee on Agriculture
3/26/2003
As Filed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

Currently, the Texas Department of Agriculture operates the Go Texan
program to promote state agriculture products.  As proposed, S.B. 1123
expands the categories of products that may be included in the Go Texan
program, allowing any industry, not just agriculture industries, that
produces products in Texas to join said program. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

Rulemaking authority previously granted to the Texas Department of
Agriculture is modified in SECTION 3 (Section 12.0175, Agriculture Code)
of this bill. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Section 12.002, Agriculture Code, as follows:
 
Sec. 12.002.  DEVELOPMENT OF AGRICULTURE.  Requires the Texas Department
of Agriculture (TDA) to encourage the proper development and promotion of
agriculture, horticulture, and other industries that grow, process, or
produce products in this state. 

SECTION 2.  Amends the heading of Section 12.0175, Agriculture Code, to
read as follows: 
 
 Sec. 12.0175.  GROWN OR PRODUCED IN TEXAS PROGRAM.
 
SECTION 3.  Amends Sections 12.0175(a) and (b), Agriculture Code, as
follows: 

(a)  Authorizes TDA by rule to establish programs to promote and market
agricultural products and other products grown, processed, or produced in
the state. 

(b)  Authorizes TDA to charge a membership fee, as provided by TDA rule,
for each participant in a program. 

SECTION 4.  Effective date:  upon passage or September 1, 2003.