82R11336 JXC-D
By: Miles H.B. No. 2669
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the creation of an advisory committee to study urban
farming.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. DEFINITIONS. In this Act:
(1) "Community garden" means land gardened by a
cooperative group of people residing in a neighborhood or community
for the purpose of providing fresh produce for the benefit of the
residents of the neighborhood or community.
(2) "Urban farm" means land used to cultivate,
process, and distribute food in or near an urban area. The term
includes a food plot in a community garden, on an inner-city lot, or
on the property of a school, a fish farm, a municipal composting
facility, an apiary, a garden that provides food for local
restaurants, or an orchard in the yard of a residence.
SECTION 2. URBAN FARM ADVISORY COMMITTEE. (a) The
commissioner of agriculture shall establish an advisory committee
to study and provide recommendations to the legislature regarding
urban farms in this state.
(b) The advisory committee consists of eight members
appointed by the commissioner of agriculture.
(c) In appointing members of the advisory committee, the
commissioner of agriculture shall appoint as a member at least one
person with expertise in property taxation and ensure that the
members represent the interests of:
(1) urban farmers and operators of community gardens;
(2) municipalities;
(3) counties; and
(4) electric and water utilities.
(d) An advisory committee member is not entitled to
reimbursement of expenses or to compensation.
(e) The advisory committee shall meet not later than the
30th day after the date the initial appointments are made and shall
select a presiding officer. The committee shall meet regularly as
necessary at the call of the presiding officer.
(f) The advisory committee shall:
(1) investigate the status of urban farms in this
state;
(2) recommend:
(A) ways the state can assist individuals in
starting and operating urban farms; and
(B) ways to reduce the cost of operating an urban
farm in this state, including, if appropriate, the provision of a
property tax credit or exemption for urban farmers; and
(3) perform other advisory duties as requested by the
commissioner of agriculture regarding urban farms in this state.
(g) Not later than September 1, 2012, the advisory committee
shall submit to the legislature a report outlining:
(1) the results of the investigation required by
Subsection (f)(1) of this section; and
(2) the recommendations required by Subsection (f)(2)
of this section.
SECTION 3. INAPPLICABILITY OF CERTAIN LAW. Chapter 2110,
Government Code, does not apply to the advisory committee
established under this Act.
SECTION 4. EXPIRATION. The advisory committee established
under this Act is abolished and this Act expires September 1, 2013.
SECTION 5. EFFECTIVE DATE. This Act takes effect
immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members
elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas
Constitution. If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for
immediate effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2011.