MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE & RURAL AFFAIRS

Tuesday, September 11, 2012

9:00 AM

Capitol Extension, Room E1.016

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Pursuant to a notice posted in accordance with Senate Rule 11.10 and 11.18, a public hearing of the Senate Committee on Agriculture & Rural Affairs was held on Tuesday, September 11, 2012, in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.016, at Austin, Texas.

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MEMBERS PRESENT:	MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Craig Estes, Chair	Senator Carlos Uresti, Vice Chair
Senator Glenn Hegar	Senator Juan Hinojosa
	Senator Mike Jackson

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The chair called the meeting to order at 9:03 AM. There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted:

Chairman Estes invited everyone to join him in a moment of silence to recognize the nation’s  tragic loss during the events of September 11^th, 2001.

Chairman Estes read the interim charge on drought and wildfire: Review the impact of the drought on the Texas agricultural and ranching industry and develop methods and legislative recommendations to minimize the effects and respond to the challenges for farmers and ranchers. The committee should focus on the following:

• implementation of best management practices for agricultural conservation;
• alternatives to federal assistance due to drought losses;
• long term economic impact of the drought on the agricultural sector of the Texas economy;
• better management of federal, state, and local parkland/preserve-land to reduce fire risk, including cooperative fire mitigation efforts with surrounding properties and neighborhoods; and
• analysis of Texas forest service and land management recommendations and options from other states for mitigating risk.

Chairman Estes opened invited testimony. Witnesses testifying on the charge are shown on the attached list. Chairman Estes opened public testimony.  There was no public testimony on this charge. The chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered.

Chairman Estes read interim charge 2: Study current federal, state and local safeguards regarding seafood consumption in Texas. Review existing academic studies, and federal, state, and private data relating to the safety of imported seafood, and provide recommendations on the need for additional studies and testing related to safety advisories for the public.

Chairman Estes opened invited testimony. Witnesses testifying on the charge are shown on the attached list. Chairman Estes opened public testimony.  There was no public testimony on this charge. The chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so order

Chairman Estes read interim charge 5: Examine ways to increase the use of Texas agricultural products in healthy foods readily available to Texas consumers. Evaluate the role of community initiatives in reducing obesity and diet-related diseases and make recommendations to support state and local efforts.

Chairman Estes opened invited testimony. Witnesses testifying on the charge are shown on the attached list. Chairman Estes opened public testimony.  Witnesses testifying on the charge are shown on the attached list.  The chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so order.

There being no further business, at 1:02 PM Senator Craig Estes moved that the Committee be adjourned. Without objection, it was so ordered.

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Senator Craig Estes, Chair

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Raenetta Nance, Clerk