Texas House Bill HB2995

Texas 2013 - 83rd Regular

Caption

Relating to the administration of the citrus budwood certification program and the creation of the citrus nursery stock certification program; providing civil, criminal, and administrative penalties and authorizing fees.

Impact

In terms of state laws, HB2995 seeks to create a robust framework for regulating the sale of citrus budwood and nursery stock. This includes requiring all citrus nursery stock sold in or into designated citrus zones to be produced using certified budwood and grown in facilities that meet specific standards to exclude pests. With these requirements, the bill aims to protect the citrus industry in Texas from pest-related threats, thus promoting agricultural stability and sustainability in the region where citrus crops are a vital economic driver.

Summary

House Bill 2995 is focused on the administration of the citrus budwood certification program and the establishment of a citrus nursery stock certification program. The bill proposes amendments to the Agriculture Code, specifically outlining the purposes of these programs which include the production of virus-free citrus trees and the assurance of citrus variety standards. A significant element of the legislation is the implementation of measures to combat dangerous pathogens, such as citrus greening disease, which greatly affect the health of citrus crops and can be spread by pests like the Asian citrus psyllid.

Contention

One notable point of contention surrounding HB2995 may be the enforcement measures introduced, which include civil and administrative penalties for non-compliance. The bill stipulates that violators could face penalties for misrepresenting citrus nursery stock or for failing to comply with certification processes. This aspect could raise concerns among nursery operators about the potential financial implications and the burden of regulatory compliance. Moreover, while the intention is to bolster the overall health of citrus agriculture, there may be debates on how the regulatory frameworks could impact small growers and their ability to maintain operations under stringent guidelines.