BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

 

C.S.H.B. 749

By: Raymond

Agriculture & Livestock

Committee Report (Substituted)

 

 

 

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

 

Interested parties contend that certain needs of hungry children go unmet during the summer season. C.S.H.B. 749 seeks to address this issue by providing for a five-year plan to increase participation in and provide greater access to summer meal plans. 

 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

 

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

 

ANALYSIS

 

C.S.H.B. 749 amends the Agriculture Code to add temporary provisions, set to expire September 1, 2018, requiring the Department of Agriculture (TDA) to develop a five-year plan in collaboration with Baylor University's Texas Hunger Initiative and implement no-cost provisions to increase outcomes in the summer food service program under certain federal law. The bill requires the plan to include methods to increase participation by children eligible to receive free or reduced-price school lunches and strategies to increase access to summer meals in rural areas for such children. The bill requires the TDA, in developing the plan, to involve any appropriate TDA advisory committee that already exists and seek the participation of relevant stakeholders. The bill requires the TDA, not later than November 1, 2014, to submit to the governor, lieutenant governor, speaker of the house of representatives, and appropriate standing committees of the legislature the plan to be implemented over the next four years. The bill authorizes the TDA to solicit and accept a gift, grant, or donation from any source, including a foundation or private entity, for the development of the plan.  The bill makes the development and implementation of the plan contingent on sufficient funds being available from such gifts, grants, or donations for that purpose.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE

 

September 1, 2013.

 

COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL AND SUBSTITUTE

 

While C.S.H.B. 749 may differ from the original in minor or nonsubstantive ways, the following comparison is organized and highlighted in a manner that indicates the substantial differences between the introduced and committee substitute versions of the bill.

 

INTRODUCED

HOUSE COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE

SECTION 1.  Chapter 12, Agriculture Code, is amended by adding Section 12.00291 to read as follows:

Sec. 12.00291.  PLAN TO INCREASE PARTICIPATION IN SUMMER FOOD SERVICE PROGRAM. (a) The department shall develop and implement a five-year plan to increase participation in the summer food service program under 42 U.S.C. Section 1761. The plan must include:

 

 

 

(1)  methods to increase participation by eligible children; and

 

(2)  strategies to increase access to summer meals in rural areas.

 

 

(b)  In developing the plan, the department shall involve any appropriate department advisory committee and shall seek the participation of the Texas Hunger Initiative.

 

(c)  Not later than January 1, 2015, the department shall submit to the governor, lieutenant governor, speaker of the house of representatives, and appropriate standing committees of the legislature a report regarding the implementation status of the plan.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(d)  This section expires September 1, 2018.

 

SECTION 1.  Chapter 12, Agriculture Code, is amended by adding Section 12.00291 to read as follows:

Sec. 12.00291.  PLAN TO INCREASE OUTCOMES IN SUMMER FOOD SERVICE PROGRAM.  (a)  The department shall develop a five-year plan in collaboration with Baylor University's Texas Hunger Initiative and implement no-cost provisions to increase outcomes in the summer food service program under 42 U.S.C. Section 1761.  The plan must include:

 

(1)  methods to increase participation by children eligible to receive free or reduced-price school lunches; and

(2)  strategies to increase access to summer meals in rural areas for children eligible to receive free or reduced-price school lunches.

 

(b)  In developing the plan, the department shall involve any appropriate department advisory committee that already exists and shall seek the participation of relevant stakeholders.

 

(c)  Not later than November 1, 2014, the department shall submit to the governor, lieutenant governor, speaker of the house of representatives, and appropriate standing committees of the legislature the plan to be implemented over the next four years.

 

(d)  The department may solicit and accept a gift, grant, or donation from any source, including a foundation or private entity, for the development of the plan.  The plan may be developed and implemented only if sufficient funds are available under this subsection for that purpose.

(e)  This section expires September 1, 2018.

 

SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2013.

 

SECTION 2. Same as introduced version.