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BILL ANALYSIS |
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By: Estes |
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
Since 1999, deer breeding has become one of the top 10 agricultural enterprises in Texas. There
are approximately 1,156 breeder facilities in Texas with roughly 71,000 breeder deer in facilities
located across the state. As traditional agriculture has become less profitable, these individuals
have created new ways to generate a living from a smaller land base. Benefits to Texas include
slowed fragmentation that preserves rural lifestyle, a $523 million total impact on the Texas
economy, and 7,335 jobs provided mostly in rural areas. To further the potential economic
impact to the local, rural economy, the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) should review
agriculture start-up loan opportunities and their applicability for new deer breeders who need to
access financing.
The Texas Agricultural Finance Authority (TAFA) is administered through TDA and has
historically concentrated on individuals and entities that have not traditionally had access to
agricultural financial lending. The legislature created TAFA in 1987 to provide financial
assistance to borrowers in the agriculture industry.
As proposed, S.B. 948 adds deer breeders to the definition of "agricultural business" for the
purpose of applying for grants through the TAFA program.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer,
institution, or agency.
ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Section 58.002(1), Agriculture Code, to redefine "agricultural business"
to include a business that holds a permit under Subchapter L (Deer Breeder's Permit), Chapter 43
(Special Licenses and Permits), Parks and Wildlife Code. Makes a nonsubstantive change.
EFFECTIVE DATE
SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2009.