Highlights 77th Texas Legislature - Senate

__________ N ATURAL
ESOURCES/Agriculture
ATURAL RESOURCES
77 th Texas Legislature
Requires the department to deposit money received from the sale of promotional items to the credit of the
GOTEPP account in the general revenue fund.
Requires the Department of Transportation to issue specially designed license plates for farm vehicles,
passenger vehicles, and commercial motor vehicles promoting Texas agricultural products.
Agricultural and Economic Development Programs for Rural Texas - S.B. 716
by Senators Duncan and Bernsen
House Sponsor: Representative Counts
Enhances the ability of the Texas Agricultural Finance Authority (TAFA) to provide financial assistance for
the development and marketing of Texas agricultural products. It is intended to reach non-agricultural
businesses that provide economic benefit to rural areas as well.
Makes $5 million available at a below-market interest rate and allows TAFA to use the farm credit system
headquartered in Texas.
Allows the transfer of state depository interest earnings from the young farmer loan guarantee account to
the Texas agriculture fund project account and allows TAFA to set up an interest rate reduction program.
Authorizes TAFA’s use of revenue bond proceeds for rural economic development and provides loan
guarantees to lenders for purchase of farm and ranch real estate.
Agricultural Economic Development - S.B. 746
by Senator Staples
House Sponsors: Representative Hawley, et al.
Requires the Texas Department of Agriculture to maintain an economic development program for rural
areas in Texas. Some of the program’s objectives for rural Texas are to:
• promote economic growth;
• identify and develop potential business opportunities;
• encourage communication between organizations, industries, and regions to improve economic
and community development services;
• coordinate meetings between public and private entities to distribute information; and
• work cooperatively through a memorandum of agreement with the Texas Department of Economic
Development, the Texas Agricultural Extension Service, and other entities that may be able to
further the program.
New Agricultural Lien Under Texas Law - S.B. 779
by Senator Duncan
Senate Research Center 210