BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	H.B. 394
85R14527 JCG-D	By: Howard et al. (Watson)
	Administration
	5/5/2017
	Engrossed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center (center), established by Lady Bird Johnson in 1982, is home to over 200 acres of native flora, serving as the state's largest all-native garden. It is also the only botanic garden in the state that is affiliated with a large public research university, which helps get information on conservation and best practices to a range of interested parties from National Parks to our own state agencies.

H.B. 394 honors Lady Bird Johnson's contributions to Texas and recognizes the important role that the center plays in conserving Texas' floristic heritage by designating the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center as the state botanical garden and arboretum. This designation will help to expand the scope of the center's educational programs, conservation work and outreach, highlight the role of native plants across our state and bring wider attention to the research done at the center.

H.B. 394 amends current law relating to the designation of the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center at The University of Texas at Austin as the state botanical garden and arboretum.

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 Chapter 3101, Government Code, by adding Section 3101.013, as follows:

Sec. 3101.013. STATE BOTANICAL GARDEN AND ARBORETUM. Provides that the state botanical garden and arboretum is the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center at The University of Texas at Austin.

SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2017.

�