BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	C.S.S.B. 1566
87R19210 MP-D	By: Lucio
	Transportation
	4/14/2021
	Committee Report (Substituted)

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

Agriculture inspections are critical to guarding both the agriculture industry and Texas consumers. The coupling of population increase and an upsurge in demand for fresh and healthy produce has put a burden on the agriculture inspection procedures at the Texas-Mexico ports of entry. Moreover, the shortage of agriculture inspectors at the Texas-Mexico border causes congestion�significant due to the slowdown of commerce and the delayed inspection of perishable produce.

The existing Trade Agricultural Inspection Grant Program, administered by the Texas Department of Agriculture, reduces wait times for agricultural inspections at ports of entry along the Texas border with the United Mexican States. The Trade Agricultural Inspection Grant Program awards grants to a nonprofit organization that assists agricultural inspectors at the Texas-Mexico border, reducing border crossing wait times.

S.B. 1566 provides continued congestion relief at ports of entry along the Texas-Mexico border by extending the Trade Agricultural Inspection Grant Program. S.B. 1566 allows perishable produce to reach consumers in Texas more efficiently and effectively.

(Original Author's / Sponsor's Statement of Intent)

C.S.S.B. 1566 amends current law relating to the continuation of the Trade Agricultural Inspection Grant Program.

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 Sections 12.050(k) and (l), Agriculture Code, as follows:

(k) Requires the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA), not later than January 15, 2025, rather than January 15, 2021, to evaluate the performance of the Trade Agricultural Inspection Grant Program under Section 12.050 (Trade Agricultural Inspection Grant Program) and submit a report to the legislature.

(l) Provides that, unless continued in existence by the legislature, Section 12.050 expires September 1, 2025, rather than September 1, 2021.

SECTION 2. Provides that TDA is required to implement a provision of this Act only if the legislature appropriates money specifically for that purpose. Authorizes, but does not require, TDA, if the legislature does not appropriate money specifically for that purpose, to implement a provision of this Act using other appropriations available for that purpose.

SECTION 3. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2021.