TITLE 31. NATURAL RESOURCES AND CONSERVATION

PART 17. TEXAS STATE SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION BOARD

CHAPTER 517. FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

SUBCHAPTER A. CONSERVATION ASSISTANCE

31 TAC §517.10

The Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board (State Board) proposes an amendment to §517.10, concerning extending the deadline when soil and water conservation districts (districts) must have all claims for Conservation Assistance Funds (Matching Funds) in the state office. Specifically, this proposed amendment changes the deadline from August 1st to August 31st to provide districts more consistency with end-of-year reporting requirements and more time to earn/raise matching contributions.

Mr. Kenny Zajicek, Fiscal Officer, State Board, has determined that for the first five-year period there will be no fiscal implications for state or local government as a result of administering this amended rule.

Mr. Zajicek has also determined that for the first five-year period this amended rule is in effect, the public benefit anticipated as a result of administering this rule will be the possibility of improved district operations and financial planning.

There are no anticipated costs to small businesses or individuals resulting from this amended rule.

Comments on the proposed amendment may be submitted in writing to Rex Isom, Executive Director, Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board, P.O. Box 658, Temple, Texas 76503, (254) 773-2250 ext. 231.

The amendment is proposed under Agriculture Code, Title 7, Chapter 201, §201.020, which authorizes the State Board to adopt rules that are necessary for the performance of its functions under the Agriculture Code.

No other statutes, articles, or codes are affected by this amendment.

§517.10.Deadlines.

(a) The state board hereby establishes the following deadlines.

(1) By May 15, districts must have claimed 2/3 of their original annual allocation of conservation funds.

(2) By August 31 [1], districts must have all claims for conservation assistance funds in the state office at Temple.

(b) Exceptions to these deadlines can only be made by the state board or the executive director with permission of the state board on a case-by-case basis.

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 May 29, 2009.

TRD-200902092

Mel Davis

Special Projects Coordinator

Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board

Earliest possible date of adoption: July 12, 2009

For further information, please call: (254) 773-2250 x252