88R14305 MP-D
By: Thimesch H.B. No. 4644
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to an alert system for dangerous plant and animal pests and
diseases administered by the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter K, Chapter 88, Education Code, is
amended by adding Section 88.823 to read as follows:
Sec. 88.823. PEST, DISEASE, AND QUARANTINE ALERT SYSTEM.
(a) With the cooperation of the Department of Agriculture and the
Parks and Wildlife Department, the extension service shall develop
and implement a statewide Internet-based alert system for
notifications related to animal and plant pests, diseases, and
quarantines. The alert system must issue notifications for:
(1) a confirmed case of a dangerous plant or animal
pest or disease;
(2) the establishment, modification, or removal of a
pest or disease quarantine order; and
(3) any compliance agreements entered into with the
Department of Agriculture related to a pest or disease quarantine.
(b) The alert system established under this section must:
(1) issue notifications through e-mail; and
(2) provide for enrollment in the alert system for
delivery of a system notification.
(c) The extension service shall enter into a memorandum of
understanding with the Department of Agriculture and the Parks and
Wildlife Department to ensure the extension service is able to
issue a required notification under Subsection (a) within 72 hours
of an applicable action by those agencies.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.