BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center S.B. 948
81R5308 TRH-F By: Estes
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
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.
SECTION BY SECTION 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.
SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2009.