AGRICULTURE CODE

CHAPTER 50B. TEXAS WINE INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT ACT


	§ 50B.001.  FINDINGS AND PURPOSE.  The legislature finds 
that:            
		(1)  it is in the public interest to encourage the 
orderly growth and development of sustainable labor-intensive, 
value-added agricultural industries such as the wine grape growing 
and wine making industries;
		(2)  the production and distribution of wine and 
wine-related products constitute an important industry of this 
state that stimulates tourism and provides substantial and 
necessary revenues for the state and employment for the state's 
residents and provides an important food that benefits the public 
health and welfare; and
		(3)  it is vital to the continued economic well-being 
and general welfare of the citizens of this state that the state's 
wine grapes and wine be properly promoted by:
			(A)  enabling the wine industry in this state to 
help itself in establishing orderly, fair, sound, efficient, and 
unhampered marketing of wine grapes and the wines they produce; and
			(B)  working to stabilize the wine industry in the 
state by increasing markets for wine grapes and wine within the 
state and the nation and internationally.

Added by Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. , § 2, eff. June 17, 2005.
	§  50B.002.  WINE INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT; ADVISORY 
COMMITTEE.  The commissioner may appoint a wine industry 
development advisory committee to develop a long-term vision and 
marketable identity for the wine industry in the state that take 
into consideration future industry development, funding, research, 
educational programming, risk management, and marketing.

Added by Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. , § 2, eff. June 17, 2005.


	§ 50B.003.  WINE INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT FUND.  (a)  The 
wine industry development fund is an account in the general revenue 
fund and consists of funds deposited to the account under this 
section.
	(b)  Money in the account may be appropriated only to the 
department and may be used only for the purpose of:
		(1)  providing funding to public or private entities to 
conduct surveys, research, and other projects related to:
			(A)  developing the Texas wine industry;                                     
			(B)  developing viticulture and enology-related 
education programs;        
			(C)  eliminating and eradicating Pierce's 
disease, the glassy-winged sharpshooter, and other diseases and 
pests that negatively impact the production of grapes and wine in 
the United States; and
			(D)  developing technologies or practices that 
could benefit the production of grapes and wine; and
		(2)  any administrative costs the department incurs in 
fulfilling the purposes described by Subdivision (1).
	(c)  The account is exempt from the application of Section 
403.095, Government Code.
	(d)  The department may accept grants, gifts, or gratuities 
from any source, including a governmental entity, a private or 
public corporation, or any other person, that are made for the 
purpose of furthering the Texas wine industry.  Any funds received 
under this subsection shall be deposited in the wine industry 
development fund.

Added by Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. , § 2, eff. June 17, 2005.