CHAPTER 50B. TEXAS WINE INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT ACT
AGRICULTURE CODE
TITLE 3. AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH AND PROMOTION
CHAPTER 50B. TEXAS WINE INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT ACT
Sec. 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.
878, Sec. 2, eff. June 17, 2005.
Sec. 50B.0015. DEFINITION. In this chapter, "committee" means
the wine industry development and marketing advisory committee.
Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch.
506, Sec. 4.01, eff. September 1, 2009.
Sec. 50B.002. WINE INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT AND MARKETING ADVISORY
COMMITTEE. (a) The commissioner shall appoint a wine industry
development and marketing advisory committee to:
(1) 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; and
(2) assist the commissioner in establishing and implementing the
Texas Wine Marketing Assistance Program under Chapter 110,
Alcoholic Beverage Code.
(b) The committee consists of members appointed by the
commissioner who represent a diverse cross-section of the wine
industry, including representatives of:
(1) grape growers;
(2) wineries;
(3) wholesalers;
(4) package stores;
(5) retailers;
(6) researchers;
(7) consumers;
(8) the department; and
(9) the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission.
(c) The members of the committee serve without compensation.
(d) A member of the committee serves at the pleasure of the
commissioner for a term of two years. The commissioner may
reappoint a member to the committee.
(e) The commissioner shall select a presiding officer from among
the members and adopt rules governing the operation of the
committee.
(f) The committee shall meet as necessary to provide guidance to
the commissioner.
Added by Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch.
878, Sec. 2, eff. June 17, 2005.
Amended by:
Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch.
506, Sec. 4.02, eff. September 1, 2009.
Sec. 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.
878, Sec. 2, eff. June 17, 2005.