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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the establishment of the office of food system security |
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and resiliency in the Department of Agriculture. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Chapter 12, Agriculture Code, is amended by |
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adding Section 12.052 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 12.052. OFFICE OF FOOD SYSTEM SECURITY AND RESILIENCY. |
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(a) In this section, "office" means the office of food system |
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security and resiliency established by this section. |
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(b) The office of food system security and resiliency is |
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established as a division within the department. |
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(c) The office is responsible for food system security and |
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resiliency in this state, including: |
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(1) coordinating state resources and programs so food |
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access industry professionals can efficiently use resources to meet |
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the needs of this state; |
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(2) ensuring a food system in this state that is free |
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of disruption; |
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(3) promoting the growth, manufacture, and processing |
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of agricultural products in this state for farm-to-store and |
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farm-to-table consumption; |
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(4) developing regional food system security and |
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resiliency planning by working with other state agencies, counties, |
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municipalities, school districts, and local governments; and |
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(5) promoting policies to establish more localized |
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food markets or food access points through measures such as: |
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(A) connecting retailers, distributors, |
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municipalities, counties, school districts, and other local |
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governments to local producers; and |
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(B) collaborating with local stakeholders to |
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expand food access across this state. |
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(d) The office shall, not later than December 1 of each |
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even-numbered year, make recommendations to the legislature for |
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legislation that may improve food system security and resiliency in |
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this state. |
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(e) If the Texas food system security and resiliency |
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planning council is established by an Act of the 88th Legislature, |
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Regular Session, 2023, the office shall manage that council and |
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coordinate with that council to implement Subsection (c)(5). |
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SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023. |