BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 1514

By: Buckley

Agriculture & Livestock

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

It has been noted that the olive oil industry is rapidly expanding in Texas and has been suggested that the creation of an advisory board to promote the growth, research, and funding of the industry will help to ensure the industry's continued success in Texas. H.B. 1514 provides for such an advisory board.

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

H.B. 1514 amends the Agriculture Code to establish the nine-member Texas Olive Oil Industry Advisory Board with members appointed by the commissioner of agriculture. The bill provides for the composition of the board, member terms, and board operations. The bill requires the board to review and provide guidance on rules impacting the olive and olive oil industry in Texas and assist the Department of Agriculture (TDA) in assessing the state of the industry in Texas, developing recommendations to the commissioner and the legislature to promote and expand the industry in Texas, identifying and obtaining grants and gifts to promote and expand the industry in Texas, and developing a long-term vision and marketable identity for the industry in Texas that take into consideration future industry development, funding, research, educational programming, risk management, and marketing. The bill requires the board to meet twice each year and authorizes the board to meet at other times considered necessary by the commissioner. The bill establishes that the board is administratively attached to the TDA, requires the TDA to provide the board with the staff necessary to carry out the board's duties, authorizes the board to accept gifts and grants from any source to be used to carry out a board function, and exempts the board from statutory provisions governing state agency advisory committees.    

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2019.