S.B. No. 1708




AN ACT

relating to assessments levied on certain owners of cattle 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: 
	Sec. 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.  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.





______________________________    ______________________________
President of the Senate             Speaker of the House
	I hereby certify that S.B. No. 1708 passed the Senate on 
April 21, 2005, by the following vote:  Yeas 31, Nays 0.




______________________________ 
   Secretary of the Senate             
	I hereby certify that S.B. No. 1708 passed the House on 
May 12, 2005, by the following vote:  Yeas 134, Nays 0, two 
present not voting.




______________________________ 
   Chief Clerk of the House            



Approved:


______________________________ 
            Date



______________________________ 
          Governor