Texas 2021 - 87th Regular

Texas Senate Bill SB1118 Compare Versions

Version 1 (Old)

Version 2 (New)

Old	New		Differences
1		-	S.B. No. 1118
	1	+	By: Johnson, et al. S.B. No. 1118
	2	+	(Wilson)
2	3
3	4
	5	+	A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
4	6		AN ACT
5	7		relating to the creation and administration of the On-The-Ground
6	8		Conservation Program by the State Soil and Water Conservation
7	9		Board.
8	10		BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
9	11		SECTION 1. Chapter 201, Agriculture Code, is amended by
10	12		adding Subchapter J to read as follows:
11	13		SUBCHAPTER J. ON-THE-GROUND CONSERVATION PROGRAM
12	14		Sec. 201.351. DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter:
13	15		(1) "Priority conservation measure" means a priority
14	16		soil and water conservation land improvement measure designated
15	17		under Section 201.355.
16	18		(2) "Program" means the On-The-Ground Conservation
17	19		Program.
18	20		(3) "Soil health characteristics" means the physical,
19	21		chemical, and biological characteristics of soil for optimal
20	22		production, including lower bulk density, good gas exchange, lower
21	23		surface temperature during growing season, high cation exchange
22	24		capacity, high soil organic matter, and active soil microorganisms.
23	25		Sec. 201.352. CREATION OF PROGRAM. The state board may
24	26		develop and administer the program to maximize public benefits by
25	27		facilitating priority conservation measures and other soil and
26	28		water conservation land improvement measures by landowners and
27	29		operators in this state.
28	30		Sec. 201.353. PROGRAM FUNCTIONS. (a) The state board may
29	31		provide through the program:
30	32		(1) technical assistance;
31	33		(2) cost-share assistance;
32	34		(3) direct grants; and
33	35		(4) help in obtaining technical assistance,
34	36		cost-share assistance, and direct grants from other public or
35	37		private sources.
36	38		(b) The state board may create rules, forms, and procedures
37	39		necessary for the administration of the program.
38	40		(c) The state board may:
39	41		(1) obtain grants, cost-sharing assistance, or other
40	42		forms of funding from other state or federal governmental entities;
41	43		(2) coordinate, receive, and use gifts, grants, and
42	44		donations from private sources;
43	45		(3) work with qualified nonprofit organizations and
44	46		universities to provide technical assistance; and
45	47		(4) designate one or more conservation districts to
46	48		administer the program locally.
47	49		Sec. 201.354. PROGRAM COST-SHARE RATES. The state board
48	50		may establish cost-share rates for eligible soil and water
49	51		conservation land improvement measures under the program.
50	52		Sec. 201.355. PRIORITY CONSERVATION MEASURES. (a) The
51	53		state board may designate and give priority under the program to
52	54		priority conservation measures that maximize public benefits to the
53	55		state. Priority conservation measures include measures that:
54	56		(1) improve soil health characteristics;
55	57		(2) conserve and manage water resources;
56	58		(3) prevent and manage flooding;
57	59		(4) control invasive and nuisance species;
58	60		(5) improve resilience to weather extremes, climate
59	61		variability, and natural disasters;
60	62		(6) protect and enhance native habitats, including the
61	63		protection of endangered species;
62	64		(7) mitigate and reduce soil erosion;
63	65		(8) restore land damaged by development; and
64	66		(9) sequester carbon to provide environmental
65	67		benefits.
66	68		(b) The state board may:
67	69		(1) establish standards and specifications for each
68	70		priority conservation measure designated under this section; and
69	71		(2) consider local priorities and needs in designating
70	72		a priority conservation measure under this section.
71	73		Sec. 201.356. CERTIFICATION. The state board may provide
72	74		certification that specific soil and water conservation land
73	75		improvement measures have been implemented in accordance with any
74	76		standards and specifications established under Section 201.355(b).
75	77		Sec. 201.357. REPORT. The state board shall include
76	78		information regarding the program's activities in the annual report
77	79		required by Section 201.028.
78	80		SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.
79		-	______________________________ ______________________________
80		-	President of the Senate Speaker of the House
81		-	I hereby certify that S.B. No. 1118 passed the Senate on
82		-	April 19, 2021, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0.
83		-	______________________________
84		-	Secretary of the Senate
85		-	I hereby certify that S.B. No. 1118 passed the House on
86		-	May 6, 2021, by the following vote: Yeas 143, Nays 1, two present
87		-	not voting.
88		-	______________________________
89		-	Chief Clerk of the House
90		-	Approved:
91		-	______________________________
92		-	Date
93		-	______________________________
94		-	Governor