The bill amends the Texas Agricultural Finance Authority's governance and operational structure, specifically regarding its board of directors and the programs it administers. It reduces the number of appointed board members from nine to six and adjusts the composition of the board to include specific representatives from various agricultural sectors, including young farmers. The bill also mandates that the authority prepare an annual report detailing its activities, including revenues and expenditures, and submit this report to the Legislative Budget Board. Additionally, it expands the authority's financial assistance programs to include collaboration with other state entities on issues related to plant diseases and pest outbreaks.

Furthermore, the bill introduces a new subchapter focused on the study of plant diseases and pest outbreaks, requiring the Texas Department of Agriculture to partner with relevant agencies to conduct annual studies and publish reports on their findings. The reports will include details on the duration and resolution of outbreaks, as well as policy recommendations to address these issues. The bill also revises the definitions and eligibility criteria for agricultural grants and loans, increasing the maximum loan amount and adjusting the matching funds requirement for grant recipients. The changes aim to enhance support for agricultural businesses and improve the state's response to agricultural challenges.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Agriculture Code 58.012, Agriculture Code 58.016, Agriculture Code 58.021, The heading to Subchapter F, Chapter , Agriculture Code 58.033, Agriculture Code 58.071, Agriculture Code 58.072, Agriculture Code 58.075, Agriculture Code 58.091, Agriculture Code 58.092, Agriculture Code 58.093, Agriculture Code 58.095 (Agriculture Code 58, The heading to Subchapter F, Chapter , Agriculture Code 58)