Journal of the Senate, Regular Session of the Seventy-Ninth Legislature of the State of Texas, Volume 3 Page: 2,521
2507-3760 p. ; 24 cm.View a full description of this legislative document.
Extracted Text
The following text was automatically extracted from the image on this page using optical character recognition software:
(9) ensure that agricultural conservation easements purchased under this
subchapter are not inconsistent with the preservation of open space and the
conservation of wildlife habitat or water; and
(10) award grants and approve the termination of easements and take any
other action necessary to further the goals of the program.
(b) To receive a grant from the fund under this subchapter, an applicant who is
qualified to be an easement holder under this subchapter must submit an application to
the commissioner. The application must:
(1) set out the parties' clear conservation goals consistent with the program;
(2) include a site-specific estimate-of-value appraisal by a licensed appraiser
qualified to determine the market value of the easement;
(3) demonstrate that the applicant is able to match 50 percent of the amount
of the grant being sought, considering that the council may choose to allow a donation
of part of the appraised value of the easement to be considered as in-kind matching
funds; and
(4) include a memorandum of understanding signed by the landowner and
the applicant indicating intent to sell an agricultural conservation easement and
containing the terms of the contract for the sale of the easement.
(c) For the purposes of determining the amount of a grant under this subchapter,
the value of an agricultural conservation easement shall be determined by a
site-specific estimate-of-value appraisal performed by a licensed, qualified appraiser.
Sec. 183.060. CRITERIA FOR AWARDING GRANTS. The commissioner
shall adopt a scoring process that considers the following:
(1) maintenance of landscape and watershed integrity to conserve water and
natural resources;
(2) protection of highly productive agricultural lands;
(3) protection of habitats for native plant and animal species, including
habitats for endangered, threatened, rare, or sensitive species;
(4) susceptibility of the subject property to subdivision, fragmentation, or
other development;
(5) potential for leveraging state money allocated to the program with
additional public or private money;
(6) proximity of the subject property to other protected lands;
(7) the term of the proposed easement, whether perpetual or for a term of 30
years; and
(8) a resource management plan agreed to by both parties and approved by
the commissioner.
Sec. 183.061. TEXAS FARM AND RANCH LANDS CONSERVATION
ADVISORY COUNCIL. (a) The Texas farm and ranch lands conservation advisory
council is established to advise and assist the commissioner with administration of the
program. The council consists of:
(1) seven members appointed by the governor as follows:
(A) one member who operates a family farm or ranch in this state;
(B) one member who is the designated representative of an agricultural
banking or lending organization and who has significant experience lending for farms
and ranches and lands encumbered by conservation easements;Wednesday, May 18, 2005
SENATE JOURNAL
2521
Upcoming Pages
Here’s what’s next.
Search Inside
This document can be searched. Note: Results may vary based on the legibility of text within the document.
Tools / Downloads
Get a copy of this page or view the extracted text.
Citing and Sharing
Basic information for referencing this web page. We also provide extended guidance on usage rights, references, copying or embedding.
Reference the current page of this Legislative Document.
Texas. Legislature. Senate. Journal of the Senate, Regular Session of the Seventy-Ninth Legislature of the State of Texas, Volume 3, legislative document, 2005; (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth123809/m1/19/: accessed May 5, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting UNT Libraries Government Documents Department.