89R914 MP-D
By: Menéndez S.B. No. 2936
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the establishment of the office of food system security
and resiliency in the Department of Agriculture and the management
of the Texas food system security and resiliency planning council.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Chapter 12, Agriculture Code, is amended by
adding Section 12.052 to read as follows:
Sec. 12.052. OFFICE OF FOOD SYSTEM SECURITY AND RESILIENCY.
(a) In this section, "office" means the office of food system
security and resiliency established by this section.
(b) The office of food system security and resiliency is
established as a division within the department.
(c) The office is responsible for food system security and
resiliency in this state, including:
(1) coordinating state resources and programs so food
access industry professionals can efficiently use resources to meet
the needs of this state;
(2) ensuring a food system in this state that is free
of disruption;
(3) promoting the growth, manufacture, and processing
of agricultural products in this state for farm-to-store and
farm-to-table consumption;
(4) developing regional food system security and
resiliency planning by working with other state agencies, counties,
municipalities, school districts, and local governments; and
(5) promoting policies to establish more localized
food markets or food access points through measures such as:
(A) connecting retailers, distributors,
municipalities, counties, school districts, and other local
governments to local producers; and
(B) collaborating with local stakeholders to
expand food access across this state.
(d) The office shall, not later than December 1 of each
even-numbered year, make recommendations to the legislature for
legislation that may improve food system security and resiliency in
this state.
(e) The office shall manage the Texas food system security
and resiliency planning council under Chapter 23.
SECTION 2. Section 23.001(2), Agriculture Code, is amended
to read as follows:
(2) "Office" means[:
[(A)] the office of food system security and
resiliency under Section 12.052 [if that office is established as a
division within the department by an Act of the 88th Legislature,
Regular Session, 2023; or
[(B) the food and nutrition division of the
department if the office of food system security and resiliency is
not established as a division within the department by an Act of the
88th Legislature, Regular Session, 2023].
SECTION 3. (a) Not later than December 31, 2025, the
Department of Agriculture shall establish the office of food system
security and resiliency under Section 12.052, Agriculture Code, as
added by this Act.
(b) The food and nutrition division of the Department of
Agriculture shall continue to manage the Texas food system security
and resiliency planning council until the department establishes
the office of food system security and resiliency.
SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.