BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center                                                                                                      S.B. 1686

                                                                                                                                             By: Estes

S/C on Agriculture & Coastal Resources

4/6/2005

As Filed

AUTHOR'S/SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

There is an increasing need for coordinated programs and services for residents of rural communities.  Organizations with established programs and delivery systems work together to provide cohesive resources to rural Texans.  The Interagency Work Group on Rural Issues (work group) was created by the Texas Legislature to make recommendations for developing rural policy.

Under current law, the work group does not include an agency whose sole purpose is providing problem-solving options for rural Texans.  As proposed, S.B. 1686 adds the governor's designee who provides these services to the state, specifically in rural areas, as a member of the work group.  This designee can assist other state agencies in developing regulatory and legislative recommendations that would benefit rural Texans. 

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 487.054(a), Government Code, [by adding Subdivision (26)] to require the governor's designee that provides services to the state in accordance with Section 502 (Matching Grants to States), Agricultural Credit Act of 1987 (100 P.L. 233), as amended, to meet in Austin at least once each year with certain agency heads or their designees to discuss rural issues and to provide information showing the impact each agency has on rural communities for use in developing rural policy and compiling the annual report under Section 487.051(4).

SECTION 2.  Effective date: September 1, 2005.