AGRICULTURE CODE
CHAPTER 50A. TEXAS FOOD FOR HEALTH ADVISORY COUNCIL
§ 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, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 2001.
§ 50A.002. DEFINITION. In this chapter, "council"
means the Texas Food for Health Advisory Council.
Added by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 180, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 2001.
§ 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, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 2001.
§ 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, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 2001.
§ 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, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 2001.
§ 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, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 2001.
§ 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, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 2001.
§ 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, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 2001.
§ 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, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 2001.
§ 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, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 2001.
§ 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, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 2001.
§ 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, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 2001.
