BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	S.B. 743
	By: Hall et al.
	Agriculture
	5/27/2019
	Enrolled

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

The olive oil industry has grown exponentially within Texas in recent years, especially in the Hill Country and coastal regions. As an emerging agriculture industry in Texas, there are not applicable state regulations for the olive oil industry.

Several other industries have benefitted from industry advisory boards within the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA). These areas of commerce with existing advisory boards include wine production, shrimp farming, and organic agriculture.

S.B. 743 would establish an Olive Oil Industry Advisory Board within TDA to advise the commissioner of agriculture on the emerging industry. The advisory board would assist TDA with assessing the olive oil industry in Texas. It would help establish the identity of the industry in Texas and give recommendations on implementation of rules for olive growth and oil production. (Original Author's/Sponsor's Statement of Intent)

S.B. 743 amends current law relating to the Texas Olive Oil Industry Advisory Board.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

Rulemaking authority is expressly granted to the commissioner of agriculture in SECTION 2 of this bill.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Title 3, Agriculture Code, by adding Chapter 50D, as follows:

CHAPTER 50D. TEXAS OLIVE OIL INDUSTRY ADVISORY BOARD

Section 50D.001. DEFINITION. Defines "board."

Sec. 50D.002. BOARD. (a) Provides that the Texas Olive Oil Industry Advisory Board (board) is composed of the following nine members appointed by the commissioner of agriculture (commissioner):

(1) five members who are olive growers, one of whom represents each of the five established olive-growing regions of the state as determined by the commissioner;

(2) one representative of infrastructure who is engaged in harvesting, milling, or agritourism;

(3) one researcher or educator who is employed by an institution of higher education, as defined by Section 61.003 (Definitions), Education Code;

(4) one representative from the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service; and

(5) one representative from the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA).

(b) Requires the board to elect a presiding officer from among its members.

(c) Provides that members of the board serve staggered six-year terms, with the terms of three members expiring on February 1 of each odd-numbered year. Authorizes members to be reappointed at the end of a term.

(d) Provides that Chapter 2110 (State Agency Advisory Committees), Government Code, does not apply to the size, composition, or duration of the board.

(e) Provides that service on the board by a state officer or employee is an additional duty of the member's office or employment. Provides that members of the board are not entitled to compensation or reimbursement of expenses.

(f) Authorizes the board to accept gifts and grants from any source to be used to carry out a function of the board.

Section 50D.003. DUTIES. Requires the board to:

(1) assist TDA in:

(A) assessing the state of the olive and olive oil industry in this state;

(B) developing recommendations to the commissioner and the legislature to promote and expand the olive and olive oil industry in this state;

(C) identifying and obtaining grants and gifts to promote and expand the olive and olive oil industry in this state; and

(D) developing a long-term vision and marketable identity for the olive and olive oil industry in this state that take into consideration future industry development, funding, research, educational programming, risk management, and marketing; and

(2) review and provide guidance on rules impacting the olive and olive oil industry in this state.

Section 50D.004. MEETINGS. Requires the board to meet twice each year and authorizes the board to meet at other times considered necessary by the commissioner.

Section 50D.005. STAFF. Provides that the board is administratively attached to TDA. Requires TDA to provide the board with the staff necessary to carry out the board's duties under this chapter.�����

SECTION 2. Requires the commissioner, as soon as practicable after the effective date of this Act, to appoint the members of the board as provided by Chapter 50D, Agriculture Code, as added by this Act.

SECTION 3. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2019.