89R3542 KRM-D
By: González of El Paso H.B. No. 1437
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the task force on pollinator health.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 131, Agriculture Code, is
amended by adding Section 131.011 to read as follows:
Sec. 131.011. TASK FORCE ON POLLINATOR HEALTH. (a) In this
section, "task force" means the task force on pollinator health
under this section. The governor shall establish the task force and
the membership of the task force.
(b) The task force consists of members appointed by the
governor, including:
(1) one member who is a university faculty member
specializing in the science of pollinator health;
(2) one member representing an advocacy group for
nurseries and greenhouse producers;
(3) one member representing an advocacy group for
agriculture in this state;
(4) one member representing an advocacy group
dedicated to the protection of pollinators and invertebrates;
(5) one member representing an advocacy group for
pesticide applicators;
(6) one member who is certified as a master gardener by
the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service and who represents the
public;
(7) one member who is a beekeeper and who represents
the public; and
(8) one member who is an employee of the Parks and
Wildlife Department who specializes in melittology.
(c) The task force shall undertake activities to examine
issues relevant to pollinator health, including:
(1) identifying ways the state can incentivize the
development of new pollinator habitat in residential, commercial,
and public areas;
(2) studying public education and outreach plans
regarding pollinator health that have been successful in other
states;
(3) investigating the means used by other states to
gather data on populations of bees or other pollinating insects;
and
(4) identifying ways to prevent loss of pollinator
habitat.
(d) The task force may take actions necessary and proper to
carry out the work of the task force, including scheduling hearings
and taking testimony on matters related to pollinator health.
(e) A majority of the members of the task force constitutes
a quorum for the transaction of business.
(f) Official action by the task force requires the approval
of a majority of the members of the task force.
(g) The task force shall elect one of its members to serve as
presiding officer.
(h) The governor shall appoint a qualified person to fill a
vacancy on the task force.
(i) The task force shall meet at times and places specified
by the call of the presiding officer or of a majority of the members
of the task force.
(j) The task force may adopt bylaws necessary for the
operation of the task force.
(k) Not later than October 1, 2026, the task force shall
submit a report, which may include recommendations for legislation,
to the standing committees of the senate and the house of
representatives with primary jurisdiction over agriculture. The
task force may provide progress reports to those committees before
October 1, 2026.
(l) The governor may provide staff support to the task
force.
(m) Members of the task force are not entitled to
compensation but may be reimbursed for actual and necessary travel
and other expenses incurred in the performance of their official
duties in the manner and amounts provided for in the General
Appropriations Act.
(n) Each state agency shall assist the task force in the
performance of its duties and, to the extent permitted by laws
relating to confidentiality, shall furnish information and advice
that the members of the task force consider necessary to perform
their duties.
(o) A member of the task force may participate remotely in a
meeting of the task force by means of a video conference call or
online service.
(p) This section expires December 31, 2026.
SECTION 2. Not later than October 1, 2025, the governor
shall appoint the members of the task force on pollinator health
under Section 131.011(b), Agriculture Code, as added by this Act.
SECTION 3. 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.