BILL ANALYSIS

S.B. 1749

By: Hinojosa

Agriculture & Livestock

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Interested parties note that the Texas Citrus Pest and Disease Management Corporation, Inc., was established several years ago at a time when citrus greening disease, caused by the Asian citrus psyllid, posed a major threat to the citrus industry in Texas and other states. The parties further note that, while that disease and the pest that spreads it remain concerns, there are other potential pests and diseases that also threaten this important industry. S.B. 1749 seeks to address this issue in order to combat such pests and diseases.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

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

S.B. 1749 amends the Agriculture Code to expand the program of control and suppression of the Asian citrus psyllid and citrus greening under provisions relating to the official citrus producers' pest and disease management corporation to make the program applicable to the control and suppression of citrus pests and diseases generally. The bill makes related changes, defines "pest" as a virus or organism that causes disease or other damage to citrus and that is designated by commissioner of agriculture rule for suppression under such provisions, and defines "disease" as an impairment of the normal state of citrus, caused by a virus or organism, that interrupts or modifies the performance of vital functions in citrus. The bill includes the Asian citrus psyllid in the term "pest" and citrus greening in the term "disease." 

S.B. 1749 removes as a commissioner-appointed member of the board of directors of the Texas Citrus Pest and Disease Management Corporation, Inc., one of the two representatives from industries allied with citrus production and adds as a commissioner-appointed member a representative of the nursery or ornamental citrus sales industry.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2015.