HBA-BSM H.B. 1687 77(R) BILL ANALYSIS Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 1687 By: Kolkhorst Agriculture & Livestock 7/19/2001 Enrolled BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Prior to the 77th Legislature, the Texas Animal Health Commission (commission) was not expressly authorized to accept a gift, grant, or donation or assist in the development, support, and oversight of food safety and quality assurance programs. House Bill 1687 authorizes the commission to accept a gift, grant, or donation, and to use their expertise to assist in quality assurance programs if an organization the commission regulates requests assistance. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution. ANALYSIS House Bill 1687 amends the Agriculture Code to authorize the Texas Animal Health Commission (commission) to solicit and accept gifts, grants, and donations for the purpose of animal disease and pest control. The bill requires the commission to report to the legislature by December 31 of each year the source and amount of each gift, grant, and donation received. The bill also authorizes the commission to assist in the development, support, and oversight of a food safety or quality assurance program, including the provision of testing services if requested by an organization representing producers of a commodity regulated by the commission. EFFECTIVE DATE May 28, 2001.