BILL ANALYSIS
By: Swinford
Committee Report (Substituted)
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
The Texas Food and Fibers Commission was originally created in 1941 by the 47th Texas Legislature to increase the marketability, durability, and uses of cottonseed and cotton fiber and to set up cotton research facilities in Texas. As time has passed the Texas Food and Fibers Commission have in conjunction with many institutes of higher education supported millions of dollars in research grants. With budgets being cut, it was decided that the Texas Food and Fibers Commission be transferred to the Texas Department of Agriculture as a grant program that supports applied research related to fibers and oilseeds.
This bill will move the Texas Food and Fibers Commission to the Texas Department of Agriculture to better serve the industry of fibers, oilseeds and textile products.
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
This bill changes the name of the Texas Food and Fibers Commission to the Food and Fibers Research Grant Program and outlines the duties of the program. The bill transfers all contracts, records, employees, property, and unspent and unobligated appropriations and other funds of the Texas Food and Fibers Commission to the Texas Department of Agriculture.
The bill establishes the definition of Council and Program. It also outlines the powers, duties, and organization of the Food and Fibers Research Council, and states that the Commissioner will appoint the council members.
EFFECTIVE DATE
This Act takes effect September 1, 2005.
COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL TO SUBSTITUTE
C.S.H.B. 373 changes the membership of the council. It also states that the council will only administer rather than adopt and administer the program to provide funding for surveys, research, and investigations.