BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center S.C.R. 18
By: Madla
AUTHOR'S/SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
In recognition of both the direct and indirect revenues that could be generated for the state by a robust wine industry, Lieutenant Governor Dewhurst charged the Senate Committee on Intergovernmental Relations of the 78th Legislature to study and make recommendations relating to the development of the Texas Wine producing industry; assess the impact of state and federal laws on the shipment and delivery of wine; and make recommendations for increasing the economic impact of the wine producing industry in Texas.
The Senate Committee on Intergovernmental Relations found that Texas has all the elements necessary to be a competitive force in the national and international wine industries; the Texas wine producing industry could prove to be a stellar economic generator for the state of Texas; with the proper policies in place, the Texas wine producing industry is positioned to boom within the next five to 10 years; although progress has been made throughout the years, insufficient funding and budget reductions for new and existing education, training, and research hinder the development of the industry; and the lack of a consistent, coordinated, and centralized effort among industry stakeholders and public policy makers to develop appropriate programs and policies; explore, develop and access relevant funding streams; and communicate concerns and needs to appropriate parties impedes the development of this industry to its full potential.
Two independent studies have recently confirmed the genetic origin of the glassy-winged sharpshooter is Texas.
Texas is a natural laboratory for the study of Pierces' disease and its vector, the glassy-winged sharpshooter, which impact the viability of grape and wine industries throughout the nation.
The dedication of new revenues to this research will facilitate research to benefit all wine-producing states.
There are a number of federal programs and funding streams that could be accessed to benefit the Texas wine industry.
It would be beneficial for the Texas wine industry and the state to make the Texas congressional delegation aware of the potential value of the industry and its needs.
RESOLVED
That the 79th Legislature of the State of Texas hereby respectfully request the members of the Texas delegation to the United States Congress to recognize the importance of the emerging Texas wine industry and work to secure funding and other assistance available at the federal level to support the protection and growth of the Texas wine industry.
That the 79th Legislature of the State of Texas hereby respectfully request the members of the Texas delegation to the United States Congress to specifically seek amounts of $2 million for each year of the following five-year period for grant funding through the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Animal Plant and Health Inspection Service (APHIS) for Pierce's Disease research in Texas.
That the Texas secretary of state forward official copies of this resolution to all the members of the Texas delegation to the Congress of the United States of America.