83R7454 AED-D
By: Villarreal H.B. No. 1135
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the establishment of the Texas Native Seeds Committee.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Title 3, Agriculture Code, is amended by adding
Chapter 50E to read as follows:
CHAPTER 50E. TEXAS NATIVE SEEDS COMMITTEE
Sec. 50E.001. PURPOSE. The purpose of the Texas Native
Seeds Committee is to develop a 10-year master plan to increase:
(1) the production of native seeds; and
(2) the use of native seeds in restoration projects on
public lands.
Sec. 50E.002. DEFINITIONS. In this chapter:
(1) "Committee" means the Texas Native Seeds
Committee.
(2) "Native seed" means a seed derived from a plant in
a particular region or ecosystem native to this state not later than
the 16th century.
Sec. 50E.003. COMPOSITION. (a) The committee is composed
of the following 12 members:
(1) the commissioner of agriculture or the
commissioner's designee;
(2) the executive director of the Texas Department of
Transportation or the executive director's designee;
(3) one member of the public appointed by the speaker
of the house of representatives;
(4) one member of the public appointed by the
lieutenant governor;
(5) two members of the public appointed by the
governor;
(6) one member from the Parks and Wildlife Department;
(7) one member from the Texas Seed Trade Association;
(8) the chair of the Senate Committee on Natural
Resources;
(9) the chair of the House Committee on Natural
Resources;
(10) one member representing an institution of higher
education appointed by the other members of the committee; and
(11) one member representing a conservation and
education advocacy organization appointed by the speaker of the
house of representatives.
(b) The chair of the House Committee on Natural Resources
serves as the presiding officer of the committee.
Sec. 50E.004. MASTER PLAN. (a) The committee shall develop
a 10-year master plan for the state:
(1) to use native seeds in restoration projects on
public lands;
(2) to identify native plant seed sources that would
easily adapt to diverse regions of the state; and
(3) to ensure seed sources become commercially
available at reasonable cost and in adequate supply.
(b) The committee shall submit the master plan to the
governor, lieutenant governor, and speaker of the house of
representatives not later than December 1, 2014.
Sec. 50E.005. MEETINGS. (a) The committee shall meet at
the call of the presiding officer and may hold additional meetings
by telephone conference call if necessary.
(b) Section 551.125, Government Code, applies to a meeting
held by telephone conference call under this section, except that
Subsection (b) of that section does not apply.
(c) The chair of the Senate Committee on Natural Resources
or the chair of the House Committee on Natural Resources may hold
the meeting called by the presiding officer.
Sec. 50E.006. PUBLIC HEARINGS. The committee shall hold at
least three public hearings in locations that the committee chooses
to afford interested persons an opportunity to appear and present
views on any subject relating to the committee's powers and duties
under this chapter.
Sec. 50E.007. REIMBURSEMENT OF EXPENSES. A member of the
committee may not receive compensation for service on the
committee. Subject to availability of funds, a committee member
may receive reimbursement for the actual and necessary expenses
incurred while conducting committee business.
Sec. 50E.008. EXPIRATION. This chapter expires and the
committee is abolished December 2, 2014.
SECTION 2. (a) Not later than December 1, 2013, the
designated appointing officials shall appoint the members to the
Texas Native Seeds Committee as provided by Sections
50E.003(a)(1)-(7) and (11), Agriculture Code, as added by this Act.
(b) Not later than January 1, 2014, the Texas Native Seeds
Committee shall appoint a representative of an institution of
higher education to serve on the committee as provided by Section
50E.003(a)(10), Agriculture Code, as added by this Act.
SECTION 3. 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, 2013.