CHAPTER 50A. TEXAS FOOD FOR HEALTH ADVISORY COUNCIL - Texas Statutes

AGRICULTURE CODE

TITLE 3. AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH AND PROMOTION

CHAPTER 50A. TEXAS FOOD FOR HEALTH ADVISORY COUNCIL

Sec. 50A.001. PURPOSE. The purpose of the Texas Food for Health

Advisory Council is to:

(1) coordinate food-for-health research programs in this state;

(2) promote the use of food-for-health research programs by

fruit and vegetable growers and state and federal agencies;

(3) promote increased consumption of fruits and vegetables grown

in this state; and

(4) coordinate research in an effort to produce more nutritious

fruits and vegetables.

Added by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 180, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1,

2001.

Sec. 50A.002. DEFINITION. In this chapter, "council" means the

Texas Food for Health Advisory Council.

Added by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 180, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1,

2001.

Sec. 50A.004. COMPOSITION. (a) The council is composed of the

following nine members:

(1) eight members who are appointed jointly by the commissioner

of public health and the vice chancellor for The Texas A&M

University System Agriculture Program; and

(2) one member who is a representative of the Department of

Agriculture and is appointed by the commissioner of agriculture.

(b) At least four members of the council who are appointed under

Subsection (a)(1) must each represent one of the following:

(1) the horticulture industry;

(2) the nutrition industry;

(3) the produce industry; or

(4) a local, county, or state health agency.

Added by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 180, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1,

2001.

Sec. 50A.005. TERMS. Members of the council serve staggered

six-year terms, with the terms of three members expiring on

January 1 of each odd-numbered year.

Added by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 180, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1,

2001.

Sec. 50A.006. PRESIDING OFFICER. The commissioner of public

health and the vice chancellor for The Texas A&M University

System Agriculture Program may jointly appoint the presiding

officer or may authorize the council members to elect a presiding

officer from among the members of the council.

Added by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 180, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1,

2001.

Sec. 50A.007. MEETINGS. The council shall meet at least once

each calendar quarter at a time and place designated by the

presiding officer.

Added by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 180, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1,

2001.

Sec. 50A.008. STAFF; ADMINISTRATION. (a) The council is

administratively attached to the Texas Agricultural Experiment

Station.

(b) The Texas Agricultural Experiment Station shall provide

support staff to serve the council.

(c) The council may retain general counsel to assist in the

organization of the council and the adoption of procedures for

awarding contracts.

Added by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 180, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1,

2001.

Sec. 50A.009. APPLICABLE LAW. The council is subject to the

open meetings law, Chapter 551, Government Code, and the

administrative procedure law, Chapter 2001, Government Code.

Added by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 180, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1,

2001.

Sec. 50A.010. DUTIES. (a) The council shall:

(1) adopt procedures as necessary to administer this chapter,

including procedures for awarding contracts under this chapter;

(2) issue requests for research proposals and award grants:

(A) to enhance the health benefits of fruits and vegetables; or

(B) to help growers maximize crop yields through applied

research;

(3) develop educational materials that promote the benefits of

consuming fruits and vegetables; and

(4) in cooperation with the Texas Agricultural Experiment

Station, The Texas A&M University System, Texas Tech

University, The University of Texas System, Texas Woman's

University, state agencies, and produce associations, develop

innovative educational programs related to appropriate and safe

methods of storing, preparing, and serving fresh produce.

(b) The council may:

(1) issue requests for proposals as necessary to administer this

chapter; or

(2) publish educational materials or other materials developed

in conjunction with employees of the Texas Agricultural

Experiment Station, The Texas A&M University System, Texas

Tech University, The University of Texas System, or Texas Woman's

University.

Added by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 180, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1,

2001.

Sec. 50A.011. FINANCES. (a) The council may accept, for the

purposes of this chapter, gifts and grants from public and

private sources, subject only to limitations contained in the

gift or grant.

(b) Funds appropriated for the purposes of this chapter shall be

expended at the direction of the council on grants approved by a

majority of the council.

Added by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 180, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1,

2001.

Sec. 50A.012. REPORTING. (a) The Texas Agricultural Experiment

Station shall prepare annually a complete and detailed written

report about:

(1) all funds received and disbursed by the council during the

preceding fiscal year;

(2) the council's progress through funded projects in improving

the health benefits of produce grown in this state;

(3) the development of an information system or network to share

health benefit information with state agencies responsible for

feeding programs and for distributing dietary information to

consumers in this state; and

(4) recommendations for improving the health of consumers

through increased consumption of this state's produce.

(b) The part of the annual report required by Subsection (a)(1)

must meet the reporting requirements applicable to financial

reporting provided in the General Appropriations Act.

(c) The annual report shall be submitted to the governor, the

lieutenant governor, the speaker of the house of representatives,

the commissioner of agriculture, the commissioner of public

health, and the vice chancellor for The Texas A&M University

System Agriculture Program.

Added by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 180, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1,

2001.

Sec. 50A.013. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. The Department of

Agriculture shall serve as a resource and in an advisory capacity

to the council.

Added by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 180, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1,

2001.