BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

                                                                                                                                              S.B. 827

                                                                                                                                 By: West, Royce

                                                                                                                                 Public Education

                                                                                                       Committee Report (Unamended)

 

 

 

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

 

Current law allows elementary schools in large urban districts to apply for grants for the purpose of establishing demonstration agriculture projects or other projects designed to foster an understanding and awareness of agriculture. However, middle schools are not included in current statute.

 

As proposed, this bill allows middle schools in large urban districts to apply for an agriculture project grant from the Texas Department of Agriculture.

 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

 

It is the committee's opinion that rulemaking authority is previously granted to the Texas Department of Agriculture is modified in SECTION 1 of this bill.

 

ANALYSIS

 

This bill relates to the public schools eligible to receive certain grants from the Texas Department of Agriculture.

 

The bill amends Section 48.001, Agriculture Code, to provide that the Texas Department of Agriculture (department) by rule shall develop a program to award grants to public elementary and middle schools located in large urban school districts for the purpose of establishing demonstration agricultural projects or other projects designed to foster an understanding and awareness of agriculture.

 

The bill amends Section 48.002, Agriculture Code, to provide that, subject to available funds, a public elementary or middle school is eligible to receive such a grant if the school is located in a school district with an enrollment of at least 49,000 students and submits to the department, at the time and in the form required by the department, a proposal for a demonstration agricultural project that includes:  a description of the proposed project; a schedule of projected costs for the project; and a statement of the educational benefits of the project, including how the project will improve understanding of agriculture.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE

 

Upon passage, or, if the Act does not receive the necessary vote, the Act takes effect September 1, 2007.