HB2002 - Relating to the eligibility of an organization to receive surplus agricultural products under certain grants awarded by the Department of Agriculture.

      By: Darby H.B. No. 2002       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to the eligibility of an organization to receive surplus   agricultural products under certain grants awarded by the   Department of Agriculture.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Section 21.002, Agriculture Code, is amended to   read as follows:          Sec. 21.002.  ELIGIBILITY. Subject to available funds, a   nonprofit organization is eligible to receive a grant under this   chapter if the organization:                (1)  has at least five years of experience coordinating   a statewide network of food banks and charitable organizations that   serve each county of this state;                (2)  operates a program that coordinates the collection   and transportation of surplus agricultural products to [ a statewide   network of ] food banks in this state that provide food to needy or   low-income individuals; and                (3)  submits to the department, in the manner and time   prescribed by the department, a proposal for the collection and   distribution to food banks or other charitable organizations for   use in providing food to needy or low-income individuals of surplus   agricultural products, including:                      (A)  a description of the proposal;                      (B)  a schedule of projected costs for the   proposal;                      (C)  measurable goals for the proposal; and                      (D)  a plan for evaluating the success of the   proposal.          SECTION 2.  Chapter 21, Agriculture Code, is amended by   adding Section 21.004 to read as follows:           Sec.   21.004.     DISTRIBUTION OF RESOURCES TO FOOD BANKS. A   nonprofit organization that receives a grant under this chapter   must make surplus agricultural products and other grant resources   available to any food bank headquartered in this state that:                 (1)     has the capacity to receive and store truckload   quantities of perishable agricultural products; and                 (2)     distributes the agricultural products free of   charge to local food programs.          SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.