CHAPTER 45. TEXAS-ISRAEL EXCHANGE RESEARCH PROGRAM
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.