By:  Swinford                                                     H.B. No. 2049



A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to assessments levied on producers and used for marketing, 
education, research, and promotion of Texas beef.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Section 41.160, Agriculture Code, is amended to 
read as follows: 
	§ 41.160.  ASSESSMENTS[APPLICABILITY OF OTHER LAW]       
	(a)  The commissioner, on the recommendation of the council, 
shall propose the maximum assessment in a referendum under Section 
41.162, and the manner in which it is collected.
	(b)  If an assessment referendum is approved, the council 
shall collect the assessment.
	(c)  An assessment levied on producers may be applied to 
efforts relating to the marketing, education, research, and 
promotion of beef and beef products in Texas, the United States, and 
international markets.
	(d)  Assessments collected by the council are not state funds 
and are not required to be deposited in the state treasury.
	[(e)  Section 41.083 applies to an assessment collected by 
the council under this subchapter.  Section 41.082 does not apply to 
an assessment collected under this subchapter.]
	SECTION 2.  EFFECTIVE DATE.  This Act takes effect 
immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members 
elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas 
Constitution.  If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for 
immediate effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2005.