Texas House Bill HB3429

Texas 2009 - 81st Regular

• Out of House Committee: 4/9/09
• Voted on by House: 4/22/09
• Out of Senate Committee: 5/12/09
• Voted on by Senate: 5/21/09
• Governor Action: 6/19/09
• Enrolled: 5/24/09
• Passed: 6/19/09

Caption

Relating to certain program and reporting duties of the Texas AgriLife Extension Service.

Impact

The passage of HB 3429 is expected to provide a structured framework for the Texas Agricultural Extension Service, ensuring that they not only administer relevant educational programs but also report their findings and activities to key state agencies and the legislature. These requirements aim to foster transparency and facilitate interagency collaboration, ultimately promising to enhance the effectiveness of programs aimed at improving nutritional education among vulnerable populations. By mandating reports every even-numbered year, the bill seeks to keep stakeholders informed and involved in addressing nutrition-related challenges facing the community.

Summary

House Bill 3429 aims to enhance the operational capabilities of the Texas Agricultural Extension Service by formalizing certain program and reporting duties. This legislation introduces Subchapter C-1 within Chapter 88 of the Education Code, defining the scope of the extension service and outlining specific programs it must administer. The bill emphasizes the administration of essential educational programs, such as the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) and the Better Living for Texans (BLT) program, which is aligned with the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). These programs seek to educate economically disadvantaged families about nutrition, meal planning, and food safety practices.

Contention

One potential area of contention surrounding HB 3429 could stem from the extent of the extension service's responsibilities in administering and reporting on these programs. Stakeholders might debate the adequacy of funding and resources necessary to achieve the bill's goals, particularly in terms of ensuring comprehensive outreach to economically disadvantaged populations. Additionally, discussions may arise concerning the evaluation criteria and methodologies used in program reporting, as stakeholders might have varying opinions on effectiveness measurement and accountability, particularly regarding public dollars spent on these initiatives.