BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

Senate Research Center                                                                                                      S.B. 1501

81R11324 BEF-F                                                                                                                By: West

                                                                                                                Agriculture & Rural Affairs

                                                                                                                                            3/23/2009

                                                                                                                                              As Filed

 

 

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

 

Under current law, elementary and middle schools in certain urban school districts may apply for a grant from the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) for demonstration agricultural projects in those schools.  This bill would permit nonprofit organizations, such as the Future Farmers of America (FFA) and 4-H, to partner with a school in an application for a grant.

 

As proposed,  S.B. 1501 authorizes TDA to award a grant to a nonprofit organization that partners with an elementary or middle school for a demonstration agricultural project.

 

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 48.001, Agriculture Code, as follows:

 

Sec. 48.001.  CREATION.  (a)  Creates this subsection from existing text.

 

(b)  Authorizes the Department of Agriculture (TDA) to award a grant under Subsection (a) to a nonprofit organization that partners with a school described by Subsection (a) to establish a project described by Subsection (a) at the school.

 

SECTION 2.  Amends Section 48.002, Agriculture Code, as follows:

 

Sec. 48.002.  ELIGIBILITY.  Provides that a public elementary or middle school, or a nonprofit organization that partners with the school, subject to available funds, is eligible to receive a grant under this chapter if the school submits to TDA, at the time and in the form required by TDA, a proposal for a demonstration agricultural project that includes a statement from the school that the nonprofit organization is partnering with the school, if a nonprofit organization is applying for the grant.  Makes a nonsubstantive change.

 

SECTION 3.  Amends Section 48.004, Agriculture Code, as follows:

 

Sec. 48.004.  REPORT.  Requires a school or nonprofit organization that receives a grant under this chapter to report the results of the project to TDA  in a manner determined by TDA. 

 

SECTION 4.  Repealer: Section 48.003 (Limits), Agriculture Code.

 

SECTION 5.  Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2009.