TITLE 4.AGRICULTURE

Part 1. TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Chapter 1. GENERAL PROCEDURES

Subchapter B. COLLECTION OF DEBTS

4 TAC §1.56

The Texas Department of Agriculture (the department) adopts new §1.56, concerning waiver of fees charged to persons obtaining licenses or services from the department, without changes to the proposal published in the November 14, 2003, issue of the Texas Register (28 TexReg 10007). New §1.56 is adopted to set forth the circumstances for which a fee waiver is deemed appropriate. The new section is also adopted to provide for the fair and equitable treatment of those persons who, without a waiver, would otherwise be required to pay additional fees due to extraordinary circumstances or events generally beyond their control, to avoid payment by the agency of the unnecessary administrative overhead and fee processing costs associated with interagency licensing transactions, and to allow for the promotion of legitimate educational opportunities and programs through waiver of otherwise necessary governmental fees. The new section includes definitions of terms used in the section, notice requirements, a statement of circumstances under which a fee will be waived, procedure to request a waiver of a fee, deadline for filing of a request to waive a fee, procedures for the department's approval of a request to waive a fee, circumstances for granting waivers, and provisions for the delegation by an assistant commission of duties or privileges established by the section.

No comments were received on the proposal.

The new section is adopted under the Texas Agriculture Code (the code), §12.034, which provides the department with the authority to adopt rules which provide for the waiver of licensing and inspection fees.

This agency hereby certifies that the adoption has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on January 8, 2004.

TRD-200400123

Dolores Alvarado Hibbs

Deputy General Counsel

Texas Department of Agriculture

Effective date: January 28, 2004

Proposal publication date: November 14, 2003

For further information, please call: (512) 463-4075


Chapter 3. BOLL WEEVIL ERADICATION PROGRAM

Subchapter E. CREATION OF ERADICATION ZONES

4 TAC §3.118

The Texas Department of Agriculture (the department) adopts new §3.118, concerning the creation of a nonstatutory boll weevil eradication zone for the Texas Panhandle, with changes to the proposal published in the November 28, 2003, issue of the Texas Register (28 TexReg 10588). The new section is adopted to designate a new nonstatutory boll weevil eradication zone consisting of the counties in the Texas Panhandle which are not included in another established boll weevil eradication zone, in order to allow cotton producers in the proposed area an opportunity to establish a manageable, efficient eradication program that meets the local needs of producers. In addition, the creation of a Panhandle zone will provide the potential for the entire panhandle to be under active eradication. New §3.118 designates the Panhandle Boll Weevil Eradication Zone consisting of all of Carson, Dallam, Hansford, Hartley, Hemphill, Hutchinson, Lipscomb, Moore, Ochiltree, Oldham, Potter, Roberts and Sherman counties. The word "counties" has been added to the end of the listing of areas to clarify that those areas represent counties. A grower referendum will be conducted to determine whether or not a boll weevil eradication program and assessment will be approved in the area designated as the Panhandle zone.

No comments were received on the proposal.

The new section is adopted under the Texas Agriculture Code, §74.120, which provides the commissioner of agriculture with the authority to adopt rules to carry out the purposes of Chapter 74; and §74.1042, which provides the commissioner of agriculture with the authority to designate by rule an area of the state as a boll weevil eradication zone.

§3.118Panhandle Boll Weevil Eradication Zone.

The Panhandle Boll Weevil Eradication Zone shall consist of the following area: all of Carson, Dallam, Hansford, Hartley, Hemphill, Hutchinson, Lipscomb, Moore, Ochiltree, Oldham, Potter, Roberts and Sherman counties.

This agency hereby certifies that the adoption has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on January 6, 2004.

TRD-200400037

Dolores Alvarado Hibbs

Deputy General Counsel

Texas Department of Agriculture

Effective date: January 26, 2004

Proposal publication date: November 28, 2003

For further information, please call: (512) 463-4075