Texas · statute · Tex. Agriculture Code · 2,156 active provisions
(a) This code is enacted as a part of the state's continuing statutory revision program, begun by the Texas Legislative Council in 1963 as directed by the legislature in Chapter 448, Acts of the 58th Legislature, Regular Session, 1963 (Article 5429b-1, Vernon's Texas Civil Statutes). The program contemplates a topic-by…
The Code Construction Act (Chapter 311, Government Code) applies to the construction of each provision in this code, except as otherwise expressly provided by this code.
In this code: (1) "Commissioner" means the commissioner of agriculture. (2) "Department" means the Department of Agriculture. (3) "Livestock" means cattle, horses, mules, asses, sheep, goats, llamas, alpacas, exotic livestock, including elk and elk hybrids, and hogs, unless otherwise defined.
Unless expressly authorized by another statute, a municipality or county may not adopt, enforce, or maintain an ordinance, order, or rule regulating conduct in a field of regulation that is occupied by a provision of this code. An ordinance, order, or rule that violates this section is void, unenforceable, and inconsis…
In this chapter, "agriculture" means: (1) the cultivation of the soil to produce crops; (2) horticulture, floriculture, or viticulture; (3) forestry; or (4) the raising or keeping of livestock or poultry.
The legislature finds that: (1) agriculture has been a critical element in the economic, cultural, and historical development of this state; (2) the impact of agriculture in this state is declining, due to urbanization, economic changes, and changes in agriculture; (3) the effects of those changes are not limited to ru…
(a) The agricultural policy of this state must consider and address: (1) water availability issues, including planning for water supplies and drought preparedness and response, by ensuring that a high priority is assigned to the agricultural use of water; (2) transportation issues, by ensuring an efficient and well-mai…
The agricultural policy of this state must recognize that bison: (1) are wild animals indigenous to this state; (2) are distinct from cattle, livestock, exotic livestock, and game animals; and (3) may be raised and used for: (A) commercial purposes; or (B) the purpose of preserving the bison species.
(a) The agricultural policy of this state must recognize that it is of paramount importance to protect this state and the agriculture industry in this state against the intentional or unintentional introduction or dissemination of damaging plant and animal pests and diseases. (b) The department, with the assistance of…
(a) In this section, "aquaculture" has the meaning assigned by Section 134.001. (b) The agricultural policy of this state must recognize that aquaculture is a type of agriculture and must be awarded the same rights, privileges, and protections as any other type of agricultural operation.
The Department of Agriculture is under the direction of the commissioner of agriculture, who is responsible for exercising the powers and performing the duties assigned to the department by this code or other law.
The department headquarters are in Austin.
The Department of Agriculture is subject to Chapter 325, Government Code (Texas Sunset Act). Unless continued in existence as provided by that chapter, the department is abolished September 1, 2035.
The commissioner is elected for a term of four years.
(a) To be eligible for election as commissioner or appointment to fill a vacancy in the office of commissioner, a person must: (1) have been engaged, for at least five of the 10 years preceding the year in which the person is elected or appointed to the person's initial term, in the business of agriculture; (2) have wo…
(a) The commissioner shall appoint a deputy commissioner. In order to serve as deputy commissioner, a person must have practical knowledge of agriculture, horticulture, manufacturing, and related industries and of the proper method of marketing the products of those industries. (b) The deputy commissioner shall take th…
Except as otherwise provided by law, all money paid to the department is subject to Subchapter F, Chapter 404, Government Code.
The department shall execute all applicable laws relating to agriculture.
To carry out its duties under this code, the department may enter into cooperative agreements with: (1) private entities; and (2) local, state, federal, and foreign governmental entities.
The department shall, upon submission for publication, notify the Texas Division of Emergency Management of each quarantine it adopts. The department shall thereafter cooperate with the Texas Division of Emergency Management in implementing any necessary safeguards to protect the state's agricultural resources from pot…
The department shall encourage the proper development and promotion of agriculture, horticulture, and other industries that grow, process, or produce products in this state.
The department shall administer the following federal and state nutrition programs: (1) the commodity supplemental food program under 7 U.S.C. Section 612c; (2) the food distribution program under 7 U.S.C. Section 612c; (3) the emergency food assistance program under 7 U.S.C. Section 7501 et seq.; (4) the school lunch…
(a) To promote a healthy diet for schoolchildren and the business of small to mid-sized local farms and ranches, the interagency farm-to-school coordination task force shall develop and implement a plan to facilitate the availability of locally grown food products in public schools. (b) The task force is composed of: (…
(a) The department may develop an outreach program to promote better health and nutrition programs and prevent obesity among children in this state. (b) The department may solicit and accept gifts, grants, and donations from any public or private source for the purposes of this section. (c) The department may adopt rul…
(a) In this section, "food of minimal nutritional value" has the meaning assigned by 7 C.F.R. Section 210.11(a)(2). (b) The department may not impose on a school district a sanction, including disallowing meal reimbursement, based on the sale to students at a high school of food of minimal nutritional value, if the sal…