SRC-JLB S.B. 1700 78(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 1700
78R8996 JMM-DBy: Wentworth
Natural Resources
3/29/2003
As Filed


DIGEST 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.  As proposed, S.B. 1700 moves the
grant function of the weather modification program to the Texas Department
of Licensing and Regulation. 

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 20.001, Agriculture Code, as added by Chapter
376, Acts of the 77th Legislature, Regular Session, 2001, as follows: 
 
Sec. 20.001.  FINDINGS.  Provides that the legislature 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. 
 
SECTION 2.  Amends Section 20.002, Agriculture Code, as added by Chapter
376, Acts of the 77th Legislature, Regular Session, 2001, as follows: 
 
Sec. 20.002.  New heading:  DEFINITIONS.  Defines "department" and makes a
conforming change in the formatting of the Section. 

SECTION 3.  (a)  Effective date:  September 1, 2003.
 
(b)  Requires TDA and the TDLR to adopt a memorandum of understanding not
later than October 1, 2003, that provides for the transfer of the weather
modification and control grant program under Chapter 20, Agriculture Code,
as added by Chapter 376, Acts of the 77th Legislature, Regular Session,
2001, from TDA to TDLR.  Requires the memorandum of understanding to
prescribe the manner by which the transfer shall be accomplished and
provide for the transfer to TDLR of funds appropriated to TDA and other
money received by TDA under Chapter 20, Agriculture Code, for the
administration of the grant program as well as the transfer of any files,
records, equipment, property, and personnel necessary to accomplish the
transfer.  Requires the transfer required by this subsection to be
completed not later than January 1, 2004.