87R9073 MP-F
By: Wilson H.B. No. 2619
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the creation and administration of the On-The-Ground
Conservation Program by the State Soil and Water Conservation
Board.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Chapter 201, Agriculture Code, is amended by
adding Subchapter J to read as follows:
SUBCHAPTER J. ON-THE-GROUND CONSERVATION PROGRAM
Sec. 201.351. DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter:
(1) "Priority conservation measure" means a priority
soil and water conservation land improvement measure designated
under Section 201.355.
(2) "Program" means the On-The-Ground Conservation
Program.
(3) "Soil health characteristics" means the physical,
chemical, and biological characteristics of soil for optimal
production, including lower bulk density, good gas exchange, lower
surface temperature during growing season, high cation exchange
capacity, high soil organic matter, and active soil
microorganisms.
Sec. 201.352. CREATION OF PROGRAM. The state board shall
develop and administer the program to maximize public benefits by
facilitating priority conservation measures and other soil and
water conservation land improvement measures by landowners and
operators in this state.
Sec. 201.353. PROGRAM FUNCTIONS. (a) The state board shall
provide through the program:
(1) technical assistance;
(2) cost-share assistance;
(3) direct grants; and
(4) help in obtaining technical assistance,
cost-share assistance, and direct grants from other public or
private sources.
(b) The state board shall create rules, forms, and
procedures necessary for the administration of the program.
(c) The state board may:
(1) obtain grants, cost-sharing assistance, or other
forms of funding from other state or federal governmental entities;
(2) coordinate, receive, and use gifts, grants, and
donations from private sources;
(3) work with qualified nonprofit organizations and
universities to provide technical assistance; and
(4) designate one or more conservation districts to
administer the program locally.
Sec. 201.354. PROGRAM COST-SHARE RATES. The state board
shall establish cost-share rates for eligible soil and water
conservation land improvement measures under the program.
Sec. 201.355. PRIORITY CONSERVATION MEASURES. (a) The
board shall designate and give priority under the program to
priority conservation measures that maximize public benefits to the
state. Priority conservation measures include measures that:
(1) improve soil health characteristics;
(2) conserve and manage water resources;
(3) prevent and manage flooding;
(4) control invasive and nuisance species;
(5) improve resilience to weather extremes, climate
variability, and natural disasters;
(6) protect and enhance native habitats, including the
protection of endangered species;
(7) mitigate and reduce soil erosion;
(8) restore land damaged by development; and
(9) sequester carbon to provide environmental
benefits.
(b) The state board:
(1) shall establish standards and specifications for
each priority conservation measure designated under this section;
and
(2) may consider local priorities and needs in
designating a priority conservation measure under this section.
Sec. 201.356. REPORT. The state board shall include
information regarding the program's activities in the annual report
required by Section 201.028.
SECTION 2. The State Soil and Water Conservation Board is
required to create and implement the On-The-Ground Conservation
Program as provided by this Act only if the legislature
appropriates money specifically for that purpose. If the
legislature does not appropriate money specifically for that
purpose, the State Soil and Water Conservation Board may, but is not
required to, create and implement the On-The-Ground Conservation
Program as provided by this Act using other appropriations
available for that purpose.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.