HB5339 - Relating to the establishment by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board of a grant program to support the study of regenerative agriculture at public institutions of higher education.

      By: Wilson H.B. No. 5339       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to the establishment by the Texas Higher Education   Coordinating Board of a grant program to support the study of   regenerative agriculture at public institutions of higher   education.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Chapter 61, Education Code, is amended by adding   Subchapter LL to read as follows:   SUBCHAPTER LL.   HIGHER EDUCATION REGENERATIVE AGRICULTURE GRANT   PROGRAM           Sec. 61.9851.  DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter:                 (1)     "Nonprofit organization" means an organization   exempt from federal income taxation under Section 501(a), Internal   Revenue Code of 1986.                 (2)     "Program" means the Higher Education Regenerative   Agriculture Grant Program established under this subchapter.                 (3)     "Regenerative agriculture" means a holistic   system of agricultural practices and techniques that enhance   overall soil health, increase soil organic matter, improve water   infiltration and retention, increase resilience to droughts and   flooding, enrich biological diversity, and proliferate beneficial   soil microbes through a combination of practices based on the   following principles:                       (A)     ensuring the presence of living roots in the   soil throughout the year to nourish the ecosystem;                       (B)     minimal disturbance to limit disruption to   the soil structure and its living organisms, while actively   protecting and promoting soil microbial diversity;                       (C)     the encouragement of biological diversity   through varied crop rotations, cover crops, and intercropping   strategies;                       (D)     soil armor to maintain soil coverage with   living plants, crop residues, or mulch to prevent exposure of bare   soil, reduce risks of wind and water erosion, and protect soil   biology from harmful temperature extremes;                       (E)     animal integration, including incorporating   livestock and poultry to recycle nutrients and stimulate soil   biological activity without overwhelming the soil ecosystem; and                       (F)     context-based practices to tailor the   regenerative agricultural practices to the characteristics of a   particular piece of land, climate conditions, and any cropping or   livestock systems present on that land.           Sec.   61.9852.     PROGRAM ESTABLISHMENT AND ADMINISTRATION.   (a)   The board shall establish and administer the Higher Education   Regenerative Agriculture Grant Program under which the board may   award grants to eligible institutions of higher education to:                 (1)     study successful regenerative agriculture   operations and identify practices and methods to support persons in   this state seeking to implement regenerative agriculture on their   land;                 (2)     develop innovative, evidence-based methods to   support agricultural producers in bioremediation and other   scientifically supported techniques that promote beneficial soil   bacteria and microorganisms and increase crop yields; and                 (3)     provide students, agricultural producers, and   rural communities with regenerative agriculture-focused education   and technical assistance programs founded upon transparent and   objective research protocols.           (b)  In administering the program, the board shall:                 (1)     collaborate with the State Soil and Water   Conservation Board to:                       (A)     align research funded under the program with   existing soil and water conservation programs;                       (B)     ensure projects funded under the program   complement statewide efforts to improve soil health and reduce the   use of synthetic inputs; and                       (C)     facilitate partnerships between institutions   of higher education that are awarded grants under the program and   local soil and water conservation districts;                 (2)     identify opportunities to align the program with   federal initiatives or grants to maximize program funding and   impact;                 (3)  ensure that research funded under the program:                       (A)     is conducted independently using the proper   scientific method;                       (B)     is not compromised by external factors or   parties; and                       (C)     complies with any requirements imposed by   state or federal law;                 (4)     establish a framework for monitoring and   evaluating the outcomes of research and other activities funded   under the program;                 (5)     ensure that findings, research, data, and   recommendations resulting from research funded under the program   are made publicly accessible;                 (6)     provide technical assistance to institutions of   higher education that apply for a grant under the program;                 (7)     conduct periodic reviews and site visits to ensure   proper use of grant funds and compliance with grant agreements;                 (8)     oversee the creation and maintenance of a   statewide online resource hub to share educational materials,   research findings, and best practices developed through the   program;                 (9)     require program grant recipients to submit to the   board annual progress reports that include:                       (A)     research and education achievements related   to agricultural sustainability;                       (B)     measurable outcomes, such as the adoption of   regenerative agriculture farming practices or reductions in the use   of synthetic inputs by producers; and                       (C)     financial documentation detailing the use of   grant funds; and                 (10)     ensure that institutions of higher education that   misuse grant funds or fail to meet program requirements are subject   to the following consequences:                       (A)  suspension or termination of grant funding;                       (B)     disqualification from future grant cycles;   and                       (C)  repayment of misused grant funds.           Sec.   61.9853.     GRANT ELIGIBILITY. To be eligible to receive   a grant under the program for a state fiscal year, an institution of   higher education must:                 (1)     apply to the board in the manner prescribed by   board rule; and                 (2)     satisfy any other criteria prescribed by board   rule in accordance with this subchapter.           Sec.   61.9854.     GRANT ALLOCATION. (a)   The board may not   award more than 30 percent of the total amount of grant funds   allocated under this program for a state fiscal year to any one   institution of higher education.           (b)     In awarding grants under the program, the board shall   give first and equal priority to institutions of higher education   that:                 (1)     conduct research in partnership with one or more   nonprofit organizations; or                 (2)  both:                       (A)     conduct research in partnership with a   nonprofit organization described by Section 501(c)(3), Internal   Revenue Code of 1986; and                         (B)     do not derive more than 25 percent of the   institution's agricultural grant program funding from an entity   that manufactures, markets, or sells synthetic inputs for use in   farming.           (c)     In its application review and funding allocation   process for the program for a state fiscal year, the board shall   ensure a reasonable distribution of funds across institutions of   higher education statewide that do not qualify for a priority grant   award under Subsection (b).           Sec.   61.9855.     GRANT USE. Grant money awarded under the   program may be used only for the following purposes:                 (1)     multiyear research projects focused on   transitioning agricultural producers to regenerative agriculture   farming systems through evidence-based techniques, peer-reviewed   studies, and event coordination;                 (2)     research on healthy soil practices, including   identifying practical and beneficial techniques for achieving and   maintaining soil health, such as bioremediation and other   innovative methods to increase crop yields and enhance beneficial   soil microbiology;                 (3)     institution of higher education-led education and   training programs to support agricultural producers in this state   in implementing regenerative agriculture methods on their land,   with priority given to programs that provide resources for small   and mid-sized farms;                 (4)     support for student-led projects, internships,   and research initiatives focused on regenerative agriculture;                 (5)     development and distribution of digital and   physical educational resources for rural agricultural communities   and farming regions;                 (6)     collaborative research initiatives between   institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations, and   agricultural organizations to pilot and test regenerative   agriculture farming solutions; and                 (7)     any additional purposes approved by board rule   following a thorough and systematic review.           Sec.   61.9856.     FUNDING. 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