BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center S.B. 1501 81R11324 BEF-F By: West Agriculture & Rural Affairs 3/23/2009 As Filed AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT Under current law, elementary and middle schools in certain urban school districts may apply for a grant from the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) for demonstration agricultural projects in those schools. This bill would permit nonprofit organizations, such as the Future Farmers of America (FFA) and 4-H, to partner with a school in an application for a grant. As proposed, S.B. 1501 authorizes TDA to award a grant to a nonprofit organization that partners with an elementary or middle school for a demonstration agricultural project. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Section 48.001, Agriculture Code, as follows: Sec. 48.001. CREATION. (a) Creates this subsection from existing text. (b) Authorizes the Department of Agriculture (TDA) to award a grant under Subsection (a) to a nonprofit organization that partners with a school described by Subsection (a) to establish a project described by Subsection (a) at the school. SECTION 2. Amends Section 48.002, Agriculture Code, as follows: Sec. 48.002. ELIGIBILITY. Provides that a public elementary or middle school, or a nonprofit organization that partners with the school, subject to available funds, is eligible to receive a grant under this chapter if the school submits to TDA, at the time and in the form required by TDA, a proposal for a demonstration agricultural project that includes a statement from the school that the nonprofit organization is partnering with the school, if a nonprofit organization is applying for the grant. Makes a nonsubstantive change. SECTION 3. Amends Section 48.004, Agriculture Code, as follows: Sec. 48.004. REPORT. Requires a school or nonprofit organization that receives a grant under this chapter to report the results of the project to TDA in a manner determined by TDA. SECTION 4. Repealer: Section 48.003 (Limits), Agriculture Code. SECTION 5. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2009. BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center S.B. 1501 81R11324 BEF-F By: West Agriculture & Rural Affairs 3/23/2009 As Filed AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT Under current law, elementary and middle schools in certain urban school districts may apply for a grant from the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) for demonstration agricultural projects in those schools. This bill would permit nonprofit organizations, such as the Future Farmers of America (FFA) and 4-H, to partner with a school in an application for a grant. As proposed, S.B. 1501 authorizes TDA to award a grant to a nonprofit organization that partners with an elementary or middle school for a demonstration agricultural project. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Section 48.001, Agriculture Code, as follows: Sec. 48.001. CREATION. (a) Creates this subsection from existing text. (b) Authorizes the Department of Agriculture (TDA) to award a grant under Subsection (a) to a nonprofit organization that partners with a school described by Subsection (a) to establish a project described by Subsection (a) at the school. SECTION 2. Amends Section 48.002, Agriculture Code, as follows: Sec. 48.002. ELIGIBILITY. Provides that a public elementary or middle school, or a nonprofit organization that partners with the school, subject to available funds, is eligible to receive a grant under this chapter if the school submits to TDA, at the time and in the form required by TDA, a proposal for a demonstration agricultural project that includes a statement from the school that the nonprofit organization is partnering with the school, if a nonprofit organization is applying for the grant. Makes a nonsubstantive change. SECTION 3. Amends Section 48.004, Agriculture Code, as follows: Sec. 48.004. REPORT. Requires a school or nonprofit organization that receives a grant under this chapter to report the results of the project to TDA in a manner determined by TDA. SECTION 4. Repealer: Section 48.003 (Limits), Agriculture Code. SECTION 5. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2009.