4 TAC §3.301
The Texas Department of Agriculture (the department) proposes
new §3.301, concerning modification of boll weevil eradication zones.
The new section is proposed to add an area to an existing boll weevil eradication
zone created under the Texas Agriculture Code, Chapter 74, Subchapter D.
New §3.301, upon the request of cotton growers in Mason County, proposes
the addition of Mason County to the Southern Rolling Plains Boll Weevil
Eradication Zone, in accordance with the Texas Agriculture Code, §74.108(b).
Matt Brockman, special assistant for producer relations, has determined
that for the first five-year period the section is in effect there will be
no fiscal implications for state or local government as a result of enforcing
or administering the section.
Mr. Brockman also has determined that for each year of the first five
years the section is in effect the public benefit anticipated as a result
of enforcing the sections will be the ability to address cotton growers'
desires to have efficient, responsive eradication zones to facilitate boll
weevil eradication in Texas. There will be no effect on small businesses.
The anticipated economic cost to persons who will be required to comply with
the new sections, as proposed, is not determinable at this time. If the
proposed addition is adopted, cotton growers in Mason County will be assessed
annually to cover costs of an eradication program in that county. The costs
to individual growers will depend on voter approval of the proposed addition
and the amount of the assessment established for the Southern Rolling Plains
Zone.
Comments on the proposal may be submitted to Matt Brockman, Special Assistant
for Producer Relations, P. O. Box 12847, Austin, Texas 78711, and must be
received no later than 30 days from the date of the publication of this
proposal in the
Texas Register
.
The new section is proposed under the Texas Agriculture Code,
§74.108(b), which provides the commissioner of agriculture with the
authority, by rule, to add an area to an eradication zone or transfer an
area or county from one statutory zone to another.
The codes affected by the proposal are the Texas Agriculture Code, Chapter
74.
§3.301.Mason County.
(a)
All of the following area located in Mason County shall
be added to the statutorily designated Southern Rolling Plains Boll Weevil
Eradication Zone described at the Texas Agriculture Code, §74.1021(f).
(b)
The addition of all of Mason County to the Southern Rolling
Plains Zone shall be effective upon the passage of a grower referendum in
Mason County approving the addition.
This agency hereby certifies that the proposal has been reviewed
by legal counsel and found to be within the agency's legal authority to adopt.
Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on March
5, 1999.
TRD-9901402
Dolores Alvarado Hibbs
Deputy General Counsel
Texas Department of Agriculture
Earliest possible date of adoption: April 18, 1999
For further information, please call: (512) 463-4075