BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center C.S.S.C.R. 18
79R11811 SMC-F By: Madla
Committee Report (Substituted)
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 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 industry could prove to be a stellar economic generator for the state of Texas, and with the proper policies in place, the 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; moreover, the lack of a consistent, coordinated, and centralized effort among industry stakeholders and public policy makers to develop appropriate programs and policies, to 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 in Texas; this finding makes Texas 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, and the dedication of new revenues to this research would facilitate research of benefit to all wine-producing states.
In addition, there are a number of federal programs and funding streams that could be accessed to promote the Texas wine industry, and alerting the Texas congressional delegation to the potential value of the Texas wine industry and its needs would greatly benefit the industry and the entire state.
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 and the Animal Plant and Health Inspection Service to conduct 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.