By: Guerra, Munoz, Jr. (Senate Sponsor - Hinojosa) H.B. No. 3761
(In the Senate - Received from the House May 6, 2013;
May 8, 2013, read first time and referred to Committee on
Agriculture, Rural Affairs, and Homeland Security; May 20, 2013,
reported favorably by the following vote: Yeas 3, Nays 0;
May 20, 2013, sent to printer.)
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to a feasibility report on the creation of a border
agricultural inspection training program.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Chapter 12, Agriculture Code, is amended by
adding Section 12.049 to read as follows:
Sec. 12.049. FEASIBILITY REPORT ON BORDER AGRICULTURAL
INSPECTION TRAINING PROGRAM. (a) The department shall consider the
feasibility of creating and administering a program to:
(1) train department employees to meet federal
standards for agricultural inspectors performing inspections,
other than inspections of animals as defined by Section 161.001, at
ports of entry along the border with the United Mexican States; and
(2) allow department employees trained as provided by
Subdivision (1) to assist the United States Customs and Border
Protection and the United States Department of Agriculture with
agricultural inspections, other than inspections of animals as
defined by Section 161.001, at ports of entry along the border with
the United Mexican States with the goal of reducing the wait time
for an agricultural inspection of a vehicle.
(b) The department shall determine whether any agreements
with the federal government are required to implement a program
described by Subsection (a) and the nature of those agreements.
(c) Not later than December 31, 2014, the department shall
submit a report to the committees of each house of the legislature
with primary jurisdiction over agriculture concerning the
feasibility of a program described by Subsection (a) and the nature
of any agreements with the federal government required to implement
the program.
(d) This section expires August 31, 2015.
SECTION 2. 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, 2013.
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