83R7454 AED-D
 
  By: Villarreal H.B. No. 1135
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the establishment of the Texas Native Seeds Committee.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Title 3, Agriculture Code, is amended by adding
  Chapter 50E to read as follows:
  CHAPTER 50E. TEXAS NATIVE SEEDS COMMITTEE
         Sec. 50E.001.  PURPOSE. The purpose of the Texas Native
  Seeds Committee is to develop a 10-year master plan to increase:
               (1)  the production of native seeds; and
               (2)  the use of native seeds in restoration projects on
  public lands.
         Sec. 50E.002.  DEFINITIONS. In this chapter:
               (1)  "Committee" means the Texas Native Seeds
  Committee.
               (2)  "Native seed" means a seed derived from a plant in
  a particular region or ecosystem native to this state not later than
  the 16th century.
         Sec. 50E.003.  COMPOSITION. (a)  The committee is composed
  of the following 12 members:
               (1)  the commissioner of agriculture or the
  commissioner's designee;
               (2)  the executive director of the Texas Department of
  Transportation or the executive director's designee;
               (3)  one member of the public appointed by the speaker
  of the house of representatives;
               (4)  one member of the public appointed by the
  lieutenant governor;
               (5)  two members of the public appointed by the
  governor;
               (6)  one member from the Parks and Wildlife Department;
               (7)  one member from the Texas Seed Trade Association;
               (8)  the chair of the Senate Committee on Natural
  Resources;
               (9)  the chair of the House Committee on Natural
  Resources;
               (10)  one member representing an institution of higher
  education appointed by the other members of the committee; and
               (11)  one member representing a conservation and
  education advocacy organization appointed by the speaker of the
  house of representatives.
         (b)  The chair of the House Committee on Natural Resources
  serves as the presiding officer of the committee.
         Sec. 50E.004.  MASTER PLAN.  (a)  The committee shall develop
  a 10-year master plan for the state:
               (1)  to use native seeds in restoration projects on
  public lands;
               (2)  to identify native plant seed sources that would
  easily adapt to diverse regions of the state; and
               (3)  to ensure seed sources become commercially
  available at reasonable cost and in adequate supply.
         (b)  The committee shall submit the master plan to the
  governor, lieutenant governor, and speaker of the house of
  representatives not later than December 1, 2014.
         Sec. 50E.005.  MEETINGS. (a) The committee shall meet at
  the call of the presiding officer and may hold additional meetings
  by telephone conference call if necessary.
         (b)  Section 551.125, Government Code, applies to a meeting
  held by telephone conference call under this section, except that
  Subsection (b) of that section does not apply.
         (c)  The chair of the Senate Committee on Natural Resources
  or the chair of the House Committee on Natural Resources may hold
  the meeting called by the presiding officer.
         Sec. 50E.006.  PUBLIC HEARINGS. The committee shall hold at
  least three public hearings in locations that the committee chooses
  to afford interested persons an opportunity to appear and present
  views on any subject relating to the committee's powers and duties
  under this chapter.
         Sec. 50E.007.  REIMBURSEMENT OF EXPENSES. A member of the
  committee may not receive compensation for service on the
  committee.  Subject to availability of funds, a committee member
  may receive reimbursement for the actual and necessary expenses
  incurred while conducting committee business.
         Sec. 50E.008.  EXPIRATION. This chapter expires and the
  committee is abolished December 2, 2014.
         SECTION 2.  (a)  Not later than December 1, 2013, the
  designated appointing officials shall appoint the members to the
  Texas Native Seeds Committee as provided by Sections
  50E.003(a)(1)-(7) and (11), Agriculture Code, as added by this Act.
         (b)  Not later than January 1, 2014, the Texas Native Seeds
  Committee shall appoint a representative of an institution of
  higher education to serve on the committee as provided by Section
  50E.003(a)(10), Agriculture Code, as added by this Act.
         SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
  a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
  provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this
  Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
  Act takes effect September 1, 2013.