Texas House Bill HB2791

Texas 2011 - 82nd Regular

• Out of House Committee: 4/21/11
• Introduced: 3/9/11
• Refer: 3/16/11

Caption

Relating to the date by which a pest management zone or cotton grower may request an extension of the cotton stalk destruction deadline.

Impact

The provisions in HB2791 are significant for the agricultural sector, particularly for cotton growers in Texas. By enabling more timely requests for extension and defining the terms under which these can be made, the bill aims to help mitigate the financial and operational stresses associated with strict timelines for crop management. The goal is to ensure farmers are not penalized for circumstances beyond their control, thus supporting the agricultural economy.

Summary

House Bill 2791 amends the Texas Agriculture Code to modify the process by which cotton growers and pest management zones can request extensions for the cotton stalk destruction deadline. The bill allows the administrative committee governing a pest management zone to request extensions from the department in cases of adverse weather or other good causes. This change aims to provide more flexibility for growers, particularly during challenging farming conditions where adherence to deadlines may be practically difficult.

Contention

Despite the bill's intent, there may be some contention surrounding how extensions affect the overall pest management and environmental strategies employed in cotton farming. Advocates for strong pest management practices may express concern that extended deadlines could lead to increased pest populations, particularly the boll weevil, which the legislation is designed to control. Critics might argue that while flexibility is necessary, it should not undermine ongoing efforts for effective pest management.

Effective_date

This amendment to the Agriculture Code will take effect on September 1, 2011, and applies only to extension requests made after this date, ensuring that any prior requests remain governed by the existing laws.