89R4226 MP-D
By: González of El Paso H.B. No. 1277
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the study of plant disease and pest outbreaks by the
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Chapter 71, Agriculture Code, is amended by
adding Subchapter Z to read as follows:
SUBCHAPTER Z. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
Sec. 71.901. REPORT ON DISEASES AND PESTS. (a) In this
section, "extension service" means the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension
Service.
(b) The extension service shall annually conduct a study of
each plant disease or pest outbreak in this state.
(c) In conducting the study under Subsection (b), the
extension service shall determine for each outbreak of a plant
disease or pest:
(1) the duration of the outbreak;
(2) how the outbreak was resolved, if applicable; and
(3) any other information the extension service
determines is relevant.
(d) Not later than January 1 of each year, the extension
service shall prepare and publish on the extension service's
Internet website a report of the previous year's study conducted
under this section.
(e) Not later than January 1, 2028, the extension service
shall prepare and publish on the extension service's Internet
website a report summarizing each annual report published under
Subsection (d) and providing policy recommendations to address
outbreaks of plant diseases and pests. The extension service shall
provide the report to the governor, commissioner, lieutenant
governor, and speaker of the house of representatives.
(f) This section expires January 31, 2028.
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, 2025.