S.B. No. 199 AN ACT relating to agricultural projects in certain schools, including the eligibility of nonprofit organizations that partner with schools to receive grants. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Section 48.001, Agriculture Code, is amended to read as follows: Sec. 48.001. CREATION. (a) Consistent with this chapter, the department by rule shall develop a program to award grants to public elementary and middle schools located in large urban school districts for the purpose of establishing: (1) demonstration agricultural projects; or (2) other projects designed to foster an understanding and awareness of agriculture. (b) The department may award a grant under this chapter 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. Section 48.002, Agriculture Code, is amended to read as follows: Sec. 48.002. ELIGIBILITY. Subject to available funds, a public elementary or middle school, or a nonprofit organization that partners with the school, is eligible to receive a grant under this chapter if the school: (1) is located in a school district with an enrollment of at least 49,000 students; and (2) submits to the department, at the time and in the form required by the department, a proposal for a demonstration agricultural project that includes: (A) a description of the proposed project; (B) a schedule of projected costs for the project; [and] (C) a statement of the educational benefits of the project, including how the project will improve understanding of agriculture; and (D) if a nonprofit organization is applying for the grant, a statement from the school that the nonprofit organization is partnering with the school. SECTION 3. Section 48.004, Agriculture Code, is amended to read as follows: Sec. 48.004. REPORT. A school or nonprofit organization that receives a grant under this chapter must report the results of the project to the department in a manner determined by the department. SECTION 4. Section 48.003, Agriculture Code, is repealed. SECTION 5. 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. ______________________________ ______________________________ President of the Senate Speaker of the House I hereby certify that S.B. No. 199 passed the Senate on March 31, 2011, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0. ______________________________ Secretary of the Senate I hereby certify that S.B. No. 199 passed the House on May 19, 2011, by the following vote: Yeas 147, Nays 1, one present not voting. ______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House Approved: ______________________________ Date ______________________________ Governor