CHAPTER 45. TEXAS-ISRAEL EXCHANGE RESEARCH PROGRAM - Texas Statutes

AGRICULTURE CODE

TITLE 3. AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH AND PROMOTION

CHAPTER 45. TEXAS-ISRAEL EXCHANGE RESEARCH PROGRAM

Sec. 45.001. LEGISLATIVE FINDINGS; PURPOSE. (a) The

legislature finds that Texas and Israel have many interests in

common. They face many of the same difficulties in agriculture;

the geography of both areas produces semiarid climatic

conditions; there is present in both areas a rising demand for a

limited supply of water coupled with increasing pressures to

minimize the use of energy in all aspects of agriculture.

Scientific and technological cooperatives already produce close

ties between the two areas while engaging in binational projects

for scientific and industrial research and development.

A program to support joint agricultural research and development

by, and the development of trade and business relations between,

Texas and Israel will address common problems and make

substantial contributions to the development of agriculture,

trade, and business in both areas. Since Texas has long

emphasized broad-based agricultural research and Israel has

originated and developed agricultural technologies designed to

maximize production with minimal use of resources such as water

and labor, each of the two areas will benefit by sharing

information and expertise.

(b) The purpose of this chapter is to:

(1) establish a program to promote and support practical and

applied agricultural research and development that will result in

mutual benefit to Texas and Israel and will help to provide

solutions to food and fiber production problems wherever they

exist, particularly those relating to water conservation; and

(2) establish a program of mutual cooperation that will foster

the development of trade, mutual assistance, and business

relations between Texas and Israel.

Added by Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 1210, Sec. 1, eff. Aug. 28,

1989. Amended by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 225, Sec. 2, eff. May

18, 1993.

Amended by:

Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch.

506, Sec. 3.02, eff. September 1, 2009.

Sec. 45.002. DEFINITION. In this chapter, "applied research"

means the process of assembling knowledge gained by careful and

diligent search and studious inquiry and examination and using

that knowledge to solve practical, real-world problems.

Added by Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 1210, Sec. 1, eff. Aug. 28,

1989. Amended by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 225, Sec. 3, eff. May

18, 1993.

Amended by:

Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch.

506, Sec. 3.03, eff. September 1, 2009.

Sec. 45.005. GENERAL FUNCTIONS, POWERS, AND DUTIES. (a) The

department may establish a binational program to support joint

agricultural research and development with Israel. The scope of

agricultural research and development which the program may

promote and support encompasses all scientific activities related

to agriculture, including production, processing, marketing, and

agricultural services, with emphasis on the support of applied

research to improve water, labor, and energy utilization in

agriculture.

(b) The program shall support applied research in areas of

potential mutual interest, including:

(1) water conservation;

(2) water management and use;

(3) soil management and conservation;

(4) innovative sources of energy for agricultural production;

(5) environmental aspects of agricultural technology;

(6) intensive crop production; and

(7) agricultural engineering and processing.

(c) The program may undertake agricultural research and

development projects of mutual benefit that are located in Texas,

Israel, or any other location considered advisable by the

department or suggested by the advisory committee.

(d) The department may make research or development grants or

loans to public or private entities who intend to carry out the

stated objectives of the program.

(e) The program shall encourage or support the exchange of

agricultural producers, scientists, teachers, students, or other

types of agricultural experts between the two cooperating areas

of Texas and Israel.

(f) The program shall encourage and support mutual cooperation

that will foster the development of trade, mutual assistance, and

business relations between Texas and Israel.

Added by Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 1210, Sec. 1, eff. Aug. 28,

1989. Amended by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 225, Sec. 5, eff. May

18, 1993.

Amended by:

Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch.

506, Sec. 3.04, eff. September 1, 2009.

Sec. 45.007. FINANCING. (a) Repealed by Acts 2009, 81st Leg.,

R.S., Ch. 506, Sec. 3.07(b)(4), eff. September 1, 2009.

(b) The department may accept gifts and grants from the federal

government, state government, and private sources, as well as

legislative appropriations to carry out the purposes of this

chapter. The use of gifts and grants other than legislative

appropriation is subject only to limitations contained in the

gift or grant.

(c) Repealed by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 506, Sec.

3.07(b)(4), eff. September 1, 2009.

(d) The department shall make an annual accounting of all money

received, awarded, and expended during the year under this

chapter to the legislative committees responsible for

agricultural issues.

Added by Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 1210, Sec. 1, eff. Aug. 28,

1989.

Amended by:

Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch.

506, Sec. 3.05, eff. September 1, 2009.

Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch.

506, Sec. 3.07(b)(4), eff. September 1, 2009.

Sec. 45.009. TEXAS-ISRAEL EXCHANGE ADVISORY COMMITTEE. The

department may establish a binational agricultural research

advisory committee to provide guidance and direction on

activities conducted under this chapter and the expenditure of

money appropriated for the purposes of this chapter.

Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch.

506, Sec. 3.06, eff. September 1, 2009.