Sec. 74.118. AUTHORITY TO PROHIBIT PLANTING OF COTTON AND REQUIRE PARTICIPATION IN ERADICATION PROGRAM. (a) The commissioner may adopt reasonable rules regarding areas where cotton may not be planted in an eradication zone if there is reason to believe planting will jeopardize the success of the program by making treatment impracticable or present a hazard to public health or safety.
(b) The commissioner may adopt rules relating to noncommercial cotton located in eradication zones and requiring that all growers of commercial cotton in an eradication zone participate in a boll weevil or pink bollworm eradication program that includes cost sharing as required by the rules.
(c) Notice of prohibitions and requirements shall be given by publication for one day each week for three successive weeks in a newspaper having general circulation in the affected area.
(d) The commissioner may adopt a reasonable schedule of penalty fees to be assessed against growers in a designated eradication zone who do not meet the requirements of the rules issued by the commissioner relating to reporting of acreage and participation in cost sharing. The penalty fees adopted may not exceed $50 per acre.
(e) If a grower fails to meet the requirements of rules adopted by the commissioner, the commissioner may order the destruction of cotton not in compliance with the rules. Costs incurred by the commissioner in the destruction of cotton may be assessed against the grower.
Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 8, Sec. 1, eff. June 1, 1993. Amended by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 227, Sec. 14, eff. Sept. 1, 1995; Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 463, Sec. 2.07, eff. May 30, 1997.
Amended by:
Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 178 (H.B. 1580), Sec. 6, eff. May 27, 2009.
Structure Texas Statutes
Title 5 - Production, Processing, and Sale of Horticultural Products
Subtitle B - Horticultural Diseases and Pests
Chapter 74 - Cotton Diseases and Pests
Subchapter D. Official Cotton Growers' Boll Weevil Eradication Foundation
Section 74.101. Findings and Declaration of Policy
Section 74.1011. Designation of Entity to Carry Out Boll Weevil Eradication
Section 74.1021. Statutory Zones
Section 74.1041. Advisory Committees
Section 74.1042. Creation of Nonstatutory Eradication Zones
Section 74.105. Eradication Zone Referenda
Section 74.106. Board Elections
Section 74.107. Composition of Board
Section 74.108. Powers of Board and Commissioner
Section 74.1091. Separation of Responsibilities
Section 74.1095. Administrative Review
Section 74.110. Liability of Foundation Members, Officers, and Employees
Section 74.1101. Liability of Applicators
Section 74.111. Board Member Compensation
Section 74.112. Discontinuation of Program and Foundation and Disposition of Funds on Discontinuance
Section 74.113. Assessment Referenda
Section 74.1135. Alternative Method of Assessments
Section 74.114. Conduct of Board Elections and Referenda; Balloting
Section 74.115. Payment of Assessments; Assessment Liens
Section 74.116. Exemption From Assessment Penalties
Section 74.117. Entry of Premises; Eradication Activities; Inspections
Section 74.120. Authority to Adopt Rules
Section 74.123. Documenting Regulated Articles
Section 74.124. Cooperative Programs Authorized
Section 74.125. Organic Cotton Growers
Section 74.127. Sunset Provision
Section 74.129. Exemption From Lawsuits, Liability, Taxation, and Legal Process