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


Senate Research CenterC.S.S.B. 1700
78R12887 KEG-DBy: Wentworth
Natural Resources
4/23/2003
Committee Report (Substituted)


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.  C.S.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.  Sets forth provisions regarding the transfer of the weather
modification and control grant program from TDA to TDLR. 

SECTION 4.  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. 

SECTION 5.  Effective date:  upon passage or September 1, 2003.