BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	S.B. 1348
88R4119 SHH-F	By: Miles
	Water, Agriculture & Rural Affairs
	4/11/2023
	As Filed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

In 2011, the Texas Legislature passed H.B. 2994, which created the Urban Farm Microenterprise Support Program. This program is housed in Chapter 44A of the Texas Agriculture Code. This program was created to offer loans up to $25,000 for microenterprise startup money and up to $50,000 for expansion, modernization, or improvement for existing microenterprises. These loans would support microenterprises in urban areas that are primarily engaged in (1) research into processes and technology related to agricultural production in an urban setting; (2) the production or development of tools or processes for agriculture in a manner suited for an urban setting; or (3) agricultural activities in a manner suited for an urban setting.

When this bill was passed, it contained a subsection that required that no state money be used for purposes of this program. S.B. 1348 removes the provision that prohibits the use of state money.

There is a $15,000,000 contingency rider attached to this bill. This money may be used to fund the program.

As proposed, S.B. 1348 amends current law relating to the use of state money for the Urban Farm Microenterprise Support 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. Repealer: Section 44A.002(b) (relating to prohibiting state money from being used for purposes of the urban farm microenterprise support program), Agriculture Code.

SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2023.

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