HBA-SEP H.B. 2390 77(R) BILL ANALYSIS Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 2390 By: Turner, Bob Agriculture & Livestock 3/13/2001 Introduced BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Current law does not prohibit the sale or distribution of salt cedar, an ornamental Asian shrub that was introduced into the western United States in the early 1800s. A mature salt cedar can consume as much as 200 gallons of water a day and has the ability to change its physical environment by increasing surface soil salinity which inhibits the growth of native plants and increases the possibility of fire. By harming native habitat, salt cedar may also adversely affect native mammals and birds along Texas rivers. House Bill 2390 provides that a person commits a Class C misdemeanor if the person sells or distributes salt cedar or salt cedar products. 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 2390 amends the Agriculture Code to provide that a person commits a Class C misdemeanor if the person sells or distributes salt cedar or salt cedar products, including salt cedar seeds, seedlings, or mulch and that a person commits a separate offense for each plant or plant product item or unit sold or distributed. EFFECTIVE DATE September 1, 2001.