BILL ANALYSIS
By: Estes
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
Under current law, there are no state funds available to assist agricultural producers who have been negatively affected by drought and wildfires. Recently, agricultural producers across the state have been negatively affected by drought and wildfires and, in many cases, this state has had to rely on the federal government to help fund a response to such disasters.
S.B. 1339 allows money in the disaster contingency fund to be made available to a state or local agency for the purpose of providing assistance to agricultural producers who have suffered loss caused by severe drought or wildfires.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.
ANALYSIS
SB 1339 amends the Government Code, to provide that money in the disaster contingency fund can be authorized to be used and made available to a state or local agency. It provides that these funds can be used to provide assistance to producers of agricultural products affected by or recovering from a disaster caused by severe drought or wildfire. SB 1339 also sets a definition for "agricultural products."
EFFECTIVE DATE
Upon passage, or, if the Act does not receive the necessary vote, the Act takes effect the 91st day after adjournment.