TITLE 4.AGRICULTURE

Part 1. TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Chapter 17. MARKETING AND PROMOTION DIVISION

Subchapter F. TEXAS WINE MARKETING ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

4 TAC §§17.200 - 17.202

The Texas Department of Agriculture (department) adopts new Chapter 17, Subchapter F, §§17.200-17.202, concerning the Texas Wine Marketing Assistance Program, without changes to the proposal published in the October 19, 2001, issue of the Texas Register (26 TexReg 8267) and will not be republished. The new sections are adopted to implement House Bill 892, as enacted by the 77th Legislature, 2001, to be codified as new Chapter 110 of the Alcoholic Beverage Code, which establishes a program to assist the Texas wine industry in promoting and marketing Texas wines and educate the public about the Texas wine industry. The new sections will also provide an increased awareness of and sales of Texas wine due to the department's promotional and marketing programs. New §17.200 provides definitions to be used in the Subchapter. New §17.201 sets out the responsibilities of both the department and the Wine Marketing Advisory Committee. New §17.202 provides for package store participation in the Texas Wine Marketing Assistance Program and sets out criteria for determining participation in the program.

No comments were received on the proposal.

The new sections are adopted under the Texas Agriculture Code §12.0175, which authorizes the department to establish programs to promote and market agricultural products grown or processed in the state or products made from ingredients grow in the state; and, the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code, §110.002, which authorizes the department to adopt rules as necessary to implement the Texas Wine Marketing Assistance Program.

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 22, 2002.

TRD-200200305

Dolores Alvarado Hibbs

Deputy General Counsel

Texas Department of Agriculture

Effective date: February 11, 2002

Proposal publication date: October 19, 2001

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