CHAPTER 49. AGRICULTURAL TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM - Texas Statutes

AGRICULTURE CODE

TITLE 3. AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH AND PROMOTION

CHAPTER 49. AGRICULTURAL TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM

Sec. 49.001. DEFINITIONS. In this chapter:

(1) "Agricultural crisis" means an event or condition, including

adverse weather conditions, water shortages, disruption in

transportation, low commodity prices, an animal health issue,

crop disease, or insect infestation, that could disrupt or

jeopardize an aspect of the agricultural industry.

(2) "Agri-tech program" means the agricultural technology

program established under this chapter.

(3) "Applied research" means research directed at gaining the

knowledge or understanding necessary to meet a specific and

recognized need, including the discovery of new scientific

knowledge that has specific objectives relating to products or

processes.

(4) "Eligible institution" means an institution of higher

education, as that term is defined by Section 61.003, Education

Code, that is designated as an eligible institution under Section

49.002(e).

Added by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 1459, Sec. 7, eff. Sept. 1,

1999. Renumbered from Sec. 46.001 by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch.

1420, Sec. 21.001(2), 21.002(2), eff. Sept. 1, 2001.

Sec. 49.002. ADMINISTRATION; GUIDELINES AND PROCEDURES. (a)

The department shall develop, maintain, and administer the

agri-tech program to provide support for eligible institutions to

conduct research projects on methods to address agricultural

crises in this state.

(b) In awarding funds to support projects under this chapter,

the department shall:

(1) give priority to applied research projects that the

commissioner determines to be necessary to address an immediate

agricultural crisis; and

(2) consider the recommendations of the Commodity Crisis Council

for specific projects.

(c) The department shall award funds to support projects as

needed to address agricultural crises in this state.

(d) The department shall develop and maintain guidelines and

procedures to provide awards under this chapter for specific

projects at eligible institutions on a competitive, peer-review

basis.

(e) The department shall determine whether an institution of

higher education qualifies as an eligible institution for the

purposes of this chapter. To be designated as an eligible

institution, an institution of higher education must demonstrate

an exceptional capability to attract federal, state, and private

funding for scientific and technical research and have an

exceptionally strong research staff and the necessary equipment

and facilities.

(f) In considering projects for selection, the commissioner

shall give special consideration to projects that:

(1) leverage funds from other sources; and

(2) propose innovative, collaborative efforts:

(A) across academic disciplines;

(B) involving two or more eligible institutions; or

(C) involving eligible institutions, private industry, and the

federal government.

(g) The commissioner may adopt rules necessary to accomplish the

purposes of this chapter.

Added by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 1459, Sec. 7, eff. June 19,

1999. Renumbered from Sec. 46.002 by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch.

1420, Sec. 21.001(2), eff. Sept. 1, 2001.

Sec. 49.003. AGRICULTURAL TECHNOLOGY ACCOUNT. (a) The

agricultural technology account is an account in the general

revenue fund.

(b) The agricultural technology account consists of legislative

appropriations, gifts and grants received under Subsection (c),

and other money required by law to be deposited in the account.

(c) The department may solicit and accept gifts in kind and

grants of money from the federal government, local governments,

private corporations, or other persons to be used for the

purposes of this chapter.

(d) Funds in the agricultural technology account may be used

only as provided by this chapter. The account is exempt from the

application of Section 403.095, Government Code.

(e) Income from money in the account shall be credited to the

account.

Added by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 1459, Sec. 7, eff. June 19,

1999. Renumbered from Sec. 46.003 by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch.

1420, Sec. 21.001(2), eff. Sept. 1, 2001.

Sec. 49.004. USE OF FUNDS IN AGRICULTURAL TECHNOLOGY ACCOUNT.

(a) From funds appropriated for the agri-tech program, the

comptroller shall issue warrants to each eligible institution in

the amount certified by the department to the comptroller.

(b) Funds awarded from the agricultural technology account may

be expended to support the particular research project for which

the award is made and may not be expended for the general support

of research and instruction at the institution conducting or

sponsoring the project or for the construction or remodeling of a

facility.

(c) Funds in the agricultural technology account shall be used,

when practicable within the purposes of this chapter, to match

grants provided by the federal government or private industry for

specific collaborative research projects at eligible

institutions.

(d) Supplies, materials, services, and equipment purchased with

funds obtained under this section are not subject to the

purchasing authority of the comptroller.

Added by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 1459, Sec. 7, eff. June 19,

1999. Renumbered from Sec. 46.004 by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch.

1420, Sec. 21.001(2), eff. Sept. 1, 2001.

Amended by:

Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch.

937, Sec. 1.81, eff. September 1, 2007.

Sec. 49.005. PROGRESS REPORTS. An institution receiving funds

under this chapter shall report on the progress of the funded

research to the department not later than September 1 of each

year.

Added by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 1459, Sec. 7, eff. June 19,

1999. Renumbered from Sec. 46.005 by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch.

1420, Sec. 21.001(2), eff. Sept. 1, 2001.

Sec. 49.006. MERIT REVIEW. The commissioner shall appoint a

committee consisting of representatives of the agricultural

industry and of private enterprise advanced technology research

organizations to evaluate the agri-tech program's effectiveness.

The committee shall report its findings to the department not

later than September 1 of the second year of each biennium.

Added by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 1459, Sec. 7, eff. June 19,

1999. Renumbered from Sec. 46.006 by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch.

1420, Sec. 21.001(2), eff. Sept. 1, 2001.