Part 1. TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Subchapter E. ADVISORY COMMITTEES
The Texas Department of Agriculture (the department) proposes new §1.211, concerning the Texas Organic Agriculture Industry Advisory Board. New §1.211 adds the Texas Organic Agriculture Industry Advisory Board to the list of the department's advisory boards and committees, states the purpose and duties of the Board, and specifies how the Board will report to the department.
Gene Richards, assistant commissioner for marketing and promotion, has determined that for the first five years the new section is in effect, there will be no fiscal implications for state or local government as a result of enforcing or administering the new section.
Mr. Richards also has determined that for each year of the first five years the new section is in effect the public benefit anticipated as a result of enforcing the new section will be to provide interested members of the public with accurate information regarding the department's advisory Boards. For the first five-year period the new section is in effect, there will be no economic cost for micro-businesses, small businesses or individuals who are required to comply with the section, as proposed.
Comments on the proposal may be submitted to Gene Richards, Assistant Commissioner for Marketing and Promotion, Texas Department of Agriculture, P.O. Box 12847, Austin, Texas 78711. Comments must be received no later than 30 days from the date of publication of the proposal in the Texas Register.
New §1.211 is proposed under the Texas Government Code, §2110.005, which requires that an agency that establishes an advisory Board adopt rules to state the purpose and tasks of the Board and manner in which the Board shall report to the agency; and §50C.002 which authorizes the Commissioner of Agriculture to appoint a the Texas Organic Agriculture Industry Advisory Board.
The code affected by the proposal is the Texas Government Code, Chapter 2110 and the Texas Agriculture Code, Chapter 50C.
§1.211.The Texas Organic Agriculture Industry Advisory Board.
(a) Purpose. The Texas Organic Agriculture Industry Advisory Board (Board) is appointed by the Commissioner of Agriculture (Commissioner) pursuant to the Texas Agriculture Code, §50C.002 and is established within the Texas Department of Agriculture (the department) to assist the Commissioner in expanding, developing and promoting the Texas organic agricultural products industry.
(b) Duties. The Board shall assist the Commissioner: with assessing the state of the Texas organic agricultural products industry, recommending how to promote and expand the Texas organic agricultural products industry in Texas, with obtaining grants and gifts to promote and expand the Texas organic agricultural products industry in Texas; with developing a statewide organic agricultural products education and awareness campaign; and with reviewing and providing guidance on rules on the Texas organic agricultural products industry.
(c) Reporting. Reporting takes place through meetings held by the Board. Through these meetings, the Commissioner and/or department staff discusses matters related to the Board's business and the Board provides oral feedback and direction. The department staffs the Board. Department staff prepares and maintains the minutes of each advisory Board meeting. Staff maintains a record of actions taken and distributes copies of approved minutes and other Board documents to Board members and the Commissioner.
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 January 4, 2008.
TRD-200800052
Dolores Alvarado Hibbs
General Counsel
Texas Department of Agriculture
Earliest possible date of adoption: February 17, 2008
For further information, please call: (512) 463-4075
The Texas Department of Agriculture (the department) proposes amendments to Chapter 1, Subchapter L, concerning the department's Urban Schools Grants Program. The proposed amendments to §§1.800, 1.802 and 1.803 add middle schools to the type of public schools eligible for grants under the program to make the rules consistent with amendments made to Texas Agriculture Code, Chapter 48, the statutory authority for the program, by Senate Bill 827, 80th Regular Session, 2007.
Brian Murray, assistant commissioner for external relations, has determined that for the first five years the amended sections are in effect, there will be no fiscal implications for state or local government as a result of enforcing or administering the amended sections.
Mr. Murray also has determined that for each year of the first five years the amended sections are in effect the public benefit anticipated as a result of enforcing the amended sections will be to provide public middle schools to apply for grant funds under the Urban Schools Grants Program. For the first five-year period the amended sections are in effect, there will be no economic cost for micro-businesses, small businesses or individuals who are required to comply with the sections, as proposed.
Comments on the proposal may be submitted to Brian Murray, Assistant Commissioner for External Relations, Texas Department of Agriculture, P.O. Box 12847, Austin, Texas 78711. Comments must be received no later than 30 days from the date of publication of the proposal in the Texas Register.
The amendments to §§1.800, 1.802 and 1.803 are proposed under the Texas Agriculture Code, §48.001, which authorizes the department by rule to develop a program to award grants to public elementary and middle schools located in large urban school districts for the purpose of establishing demonstration agricultural projects or other projects designed foster an understanding and awareness of agriculture.
The code affected by the proposal is the Texas Agriculture Code, Chapter 48.
§1.800.Statement of Purpose.
The Urban Schools Grant Program is designed to establish demonstration agricultural projects or other projects designed to foster an understanding and awareness of agriculture in certain Texas urban public school districts by awarding grants of $2,500 to eligible elementary and middle schools.
§1.802.Eligibility.
Subject to available funds, public elementary and middle schools from urban public school districts in the state are eligible to receive a grant under this subchapter if the schools submit to the department a proposal that includes:
(1) - (3) (No change.)
§1.803.Selection.
(a) (No change.)
(b) The review panel shall be composed of the following:
(1) one person having experience or expertise in developing elementary and/or middle school curriculum;
(2) - (7) (No change.)
(c) (No change.)
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 January 4, 2008.
TRD-200800053
Dolores Alvarado Hibbs
General Counsel
Texas Department of Agriculture
Earliest possible date of adoption: February 17, 2008
For further information, please call: (512) 463-4075