80R7957 BEF-D
 
  By: Anderson H.B. No. 2345
 
 
 
   
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the creation of the Texas Organic Agricultural Industry
Advisory Board.
       BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
       SECTION 1.  Title 3, Agriculture Code, is amended by adding
Chapter 50C to read as follows:
CHAPTER 50C.  TEXAS ORGANIC AGRICULTURAL INDUSTRY ADVISORY BOARD
       Sec. 50C.001.  DEFINITION.  In this chapter, "board" means
the Texas Organic Agricultural Industry Advisory Board.
       Sec. 50C.002. COMPOSITION. (a) The board is composed of the
following 11 members appointed by the commissioner:
             (1)  four members who produce organic agricultural
products;
             (2)  two members who are retail sellers of organic
agricultural products;
             (3)  one member who distributes organic agricultural
products;
             (4)  one member who processes organic agricultural
products;
             (5)  one member who represents a trade association that
represents the organic agricultural industry;
             (6)  one member who represents the public; and
             (7)  one representative from the department.
       (b)  The board shall elect a presiding officer from among its
members.
       (c)  Members of the board serve staggered terms of four
years, with either five or six members' terms, as applicable,
expiring February 1 of each odd-numbered year.  Members may be
reappointed at the end of a term.
       (d)  Chapter 2110, Government Code, does not apply to the
size, composition, or duration of the board.
       (e)  Service on the board by a state officer or employee is an
additional duty of the member's office or employment.  Members of
the board are not entitled to compensation or reimbursement of
expenses.
       Sec. 50C.003. DUTIES. The board shall:
             (1)  assist the department in:
                   (A)  assessing the state of the organic
agricultural products industry in this state;
                   (B)  developing recommendations to the
commissioner and the legislature to promote and expand the organic
agricultural products industry in this state;
                   (C)  identifying and obtaining grants and gifts to
promote and expand the organic agricultural products industry in
this state; and
                   (D)  developing a statewide organic agricultural
products education and awareness campaign, utilizing the Texas
Cooperative Extension's educational programs and channels of
distribution when appropriate; and
             (2)  review and provide guidance on rules impacting the
organic agricultural products industry in this state.
       Sec. 50C.004  MEETINGS.  The board shall meet at least once
each year and may meet at other times considered necessary by the
commissioner.
       Sec. 50C.005.  STAFF.  The board is administratively
attached to the department.  The department shall provide the board
with the staff necessary to carry out its duties under this chapter.
       SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2007.