S.B. No. 1772
AN ACT
relating to the establishment of the Texas Pollinator-Smart program
for solar energy sites.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. The heading to Subchapter K, Chapter 88,
Education Code, is amended to read as follows:
SUBCHAPTER K. TEXAS A&M AGRILIFE EXTENSION [SERVICE]
SECTION 2. Section 88.821, Education Code, is amended to
read as follows:
Sec. 88.821. DEFINITION. In this subchapter, "AgriLife
Extension" or "extension service" means [the] Texas A&M AgriLife
Extension [Service].
SECTION 3. Subchapter K, Chapter 88, Education Code, is
amended by adding Section 88.824 to read as follows:
Sec. 88.824. TEXAS POLLINATOR-SMART PROGRAM. (a) AgriLife
Extension, in consultation with the Department of Agriculture and
the Parks and Wildlife Department, shall establish and implement
the Texas Pollinator-Smart program to encourage the voluntary
establishment and conservation of habitats for bees, birds, and
other pollinators in and near solar energy sites.
(b) AgriLife Extension, in consultation with the Department
of Agriculture and the Parks and Wildlife Department, shall develop
educational materials for the program that include information
regarding:
(1) benefits to solar energy producers, neighboring
landowners, agricultural producers, and the environment of
providing pollinator habitats at solar energy sites;
(2) resources and practices for establishing and
maintaining pollinator habitats;
(3) native plant species compatible with solar energy
sites that provide habitat for pollinators;
(4) methods to prevent, identify, and eradicate
invasive species without causing harm to pollinators;
(5) any available grants or other financial incentives
for establishing or maintaining pollinator habitats;
(6) examples of pollinator habitats established at
solar energy sites in this state or other locations; and
(7) the Texas Pollinator-Smart certificate under
Subsection (c).
(c) AgriLife Extension shall, in consultation with the
Department of Agriculture and the Parks and Wildlife Department,
award the Texas Pollinator-Smart certificate to solar energy sites
with pollinator habitats that meet or achieve a standard determined
by AgriLife Extension.
(d) AgriLife Extension may provide advice and technical
assistance to participants and potential participants in the Texas
Pollinator-Smart program, including reports evaluating the
suitability of solar energy sites.
(e) Participation in the Texas Pollinator-Smart program by
a solar energy site is voluntary.
SECTION 4. Texas A&M AgriLife Extension is required to
implement a provision of this Act only if the legislature
appropriates money specifically for that purpose. If the
legislature does not appropriate money specifically for that
purpose, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension may, but is not required to,
implement a provision of this Act using other appropriations
available for that purpose.
SECTION 5. This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.
______________________________ ______________________________
President of the Senate Speaker of the House
I hereby certify that S.B. No. 1772 passed the Senate on
May 3, 2021, by the following vote: Yeas 29, Nays 1; and that the
Senate concurred in House amendment on May 29, 2021, by the
following vote: Yeas 30, Nays 1.
______________________________
Secretary of the Senate
I hereby certify that S.B. No. 1772 passed the House, with
amendment, on May 26, 2021, by the following vote: Yeas 109,
Nays 38, two present not voting.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House
Approved:
______________________________
Date
______________________________
Governor