EMERGENCY RULESAn agency may adopt a new or amended section or repeal an 
existing section on an emergency basis if it determines that such action is 
necessary for the public health, safety, or welfare of this state. The section 
may become effective immediately upon filing with the Texas Register, or on a 
stated date less than 20 days after filing and remaining in effect no more than 
120 days. The emergency action is renewable once for no more than 60 additional 
days.
Symbology in amended emergency sections. New language added to an existing 
section is indicated by the use of bold text. [Brackets] indicate deletion of 
existing material within a section.

TITLE 4. AGRICULTURE
PART I.  Texas Department of Agriculture
CHAPTER 20. Cotton Pest Control 
SUBCHAPTER C. Stalk Destruction Program
4 TAC sec.20.22
The Department of Agriculture (the department) adopts on an emergency basis, an 
amendment to sec.20.22, concerning the authorized cotton destruction date for 
pest management Zone 8.
The department is acting on behalf of cotton farmers in Johnson county. 
The current cotton destruction deadline for Zone 8 is November 30. The cotton 
destruction deadline will be extended through December 31 for Johnson County 
only. The department believes that changing the cotton destruction date in the 
county is both necessary and appropriate.
Adverse weather conditions have created a situation compelling an immediate 
extension of the cotton destruction date for Johnson County. The unusually wet 
weather prior to the cotton destruction period has prevented many cotton 
producers in that county from completing cotton destruction by the November 30 
deadline. A failure to act to extend the cotton destruction deadline in that 
county could create a significant loss to Texas cotton producers and the state's 
economy. 
The emergency amendment to sec.20.22(a) will extend the date for cotton 
destruction through December 31 of this year in Johnson county.
The amendment is adopted on an emergency basis under Texas Agriculture Code, 
sec.74.006, which provides the Texas Department of Agriculture with the 
authority to adopt rules as necessary for the effective enforcement and 
administration of Chapter 74, Subchapter A; and sec.74.004, which provides the 
department with the authority to establish regulated areas, dates and 
appropriate methods of destruction of stalks, other parts, and products of host 
plants for cotton pests and provides the department with the authority to 
consider a request for a cotton destruction extension due to adverse weather 
conditions; and the Government Code, sec.2001.34, which provides for the 
adoption of administrative rules on an emergency basis, without notice and 
comment.

sec.20.22. Stalk Destruction Requirements. 
(a) Deadlines and methods. All cotton plants in a pest management zone shall be 
destroyed, regardless of the method used, by the stalk destruction dates 
indicated for the zone. Destruction shall be accomplished by the methods 
described as follows:
Figure: 4 TAC sec.20.22(a)
(b)-(c) (No change.)
Issued in Austin, Texas, on December 11, 1996. 
TRD-9618008
Dolores Alvarado Hibbs
Deputy General Counsel
Texas Department of Agriculture
Effective date: December 11, 1996
Expiration date: January 1, 1997
For further information, please call: (512) 463-7583