S.B. 1700 78(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


S.B. 1700
By: Wentworth
Agriculture & Livestock
Committee Report (Unamended)



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Currently, the state weather modification program is split into two
components, which places the technical and permitting function with the
Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation and the grant function with
the Texas Department of Agriculture.  S.B. 1700 moves the grant function
of the weather modification program to the Texas Department of Licensing
and Regulation.   


RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any
additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or
institution. 

ANALYSIS

S.B. 1700 amends the Agriculture Code which finds that the Texas
Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR), rather than the Texas
Department of Agriculture (TDA), is the proper state agency to administer
grants to political subdivisions for weather modification and control
activities.  
The bill sets forth provisions regarding the transfer of the weather
modification and control grant program from TDA to TDLR.   The bill
requires TDA and TDLR to adopt a memorandum of understanding not later
than the 30th day after the effective date of this Act that provides for
the transfer, by that date, of any files, records, equipment, property,
and personnel necessary to accomplish the transfer of the weather
modification and control grant program from TDA to TDLR.  

EFFECTIVE DATE

Upon passage, or, if the Act does not receive the necessary vote, the Act
takes effect September 1, 2003.