BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center C.S.S.B. 1686
79R10399 MCK-F By: Estes
S/C on Agriculture & Coastal Resources
Committee Report (Substituted)
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. C.S.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
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Section 487.054, Government Code, by amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsection (c), as follows:
(a) Requires certain agency heads or designees [the agency names are amended and updated in this subsection], at least once each year, to meet in Austin 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).
(c) Requires the governor, in addition to the individuals identified by Subsection (a), to designate a representative from the entity that provides mediation services to the state under 7 U.S.C. Section 5102 to attend meetings held under this section.
SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2005.