Senate committee advances overhaul of Texas Agricultural Finance Authority with reduced grants, debate over funding

Sen. Sparks explained a committee substitute to House Bill 43 on behalf of the Texas Agricultural Finance Authority, saying the measure restructures the authority, revises grant and loan amounts and creates programs for pest and depredation control.

The bill’s sponsor said the changes respond to substantial recent losses in Texas agriculture. “Our ag industry really is in crisis due to, a number of, weather related issues the last couple of years,” Sen. Sparks told the committee, and he asked for the panel’s support for the substitute.

Committee members and a string of invited witnesses described the financial strains on producers and rural businesses. Bridal Adamec of the Texas Farm Bureau said recent years had produced “some of the most difficult” conditions for Texas farmers and ranchers, including drought, storms and higher…