81R10326 TRH-F
By: Hinojosa S.B. No. 1901
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the safety of the fresh fruit and vegetables produced in
this state.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. The legislature finds that:
(1) the agricultural industry is a vital part of this
state's economy, annually contributing $103 billion, or 9.2 percent
of the gross state product, and is the state's second largest
resource-based industry, with one in seven Texans being employed in
some segment of the agricultural industry;
(2) food safety must be a top state priority because an
accidental or deliberate contamination of food or crops could be
detrimental to the state's economy and would undermine consumer
confidence in the integrity of food safety in this state;
(3) the growing and processing of fresh fruits and
vegetables is crucial to this state, and since September 11, 2001,
awareness of the threat of contamination of those products has
increased; and
(4) this state should increase awareness of food
safety among its growers and packers of fresh fruits and vegetables
to avoid disastrous events.
SECTION 2. Subchapter A, Chapter 91, Agriculture Code, is
amended by adding Section 91.009 to read as follows:
Sec. 91.009. COORDINATION OF FOOD SAFETY. (a) The
department is the lead agency and shall assist the fresh fruit and
vegetable industries with food safety issues and may provide
assistance to federal agencies in their implementation of voluntary
guidelines relating to sound agricultural practices.
(b) The department shall coordinate, plan, and approve
training and awareness programs for producers and packers of fresh
fruits and vegetables. A program under this subsection must inform
and educate producers and packers regarding:
(1) sound agricultural practices;
(2) proper food handling procedures;
(3) the prevention of accidental or deliberately
planned outbreaks of disease; and
(4) the enhancement of overall food safety.
(c) The department shall coordinate the planning and
implementation of programs required by Subsection (b) with:
(1) colleges and universities in this state;
(2) the Texas AgriLife Extension Service;
(3) Texas AgriLife Research;
(4) the Department of State Health Services; and
(5) private industry.
(d) The department may adopt rules to implement this
section. In the development of rules for the certification of
approved food safety curriculum or training, the department shall
consult and coordinate with the Department of State Health
Services.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
Act takes effect September 1, 2009.