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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to an alert system for dangerous plant and wildlife pests |
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and diseases administered by the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension |
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Service. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter K, Chapter 88, Education Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 88.823 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 88.823. PEST, DISEASE, AND QUARANTINE ALERT SYSTEM. |
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(a) With the cooperation of the Department of Agriculture, the |
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Texas Animal Health Commission, and the Parks and Wildlife |
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Department, the extension service shall develop and implement a |
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statewide Internet-based alert system for notifications related to |
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wildlife and plant pests, diseases, and quarantines. The alert |
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system must issue notifications for: |
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(1) a confirmed case of a dangerous plant or wildlife |
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pest or disease; |
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(2) the establishment, modification, or removal of a |
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pest or disease quarantine order; and |
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(3) any compliance agreements entered into with the |
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Department of Agriculture related to a pest or disease quarantine. |
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(b) The alert system established under this section must: |
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(1) issue notifications through e-mail; and |
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(2) provide for enrollment in the alert system for |
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delivery of a system notification. |
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(c) The extension service shall enter into a memorandum of |
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understanding with the Department of Agriculture, the Texas Animal |
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Health Commission, and the Parks and Wildlife Department to ensure |
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the extension service is able to issue a required notification |
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under Subsection (a) within 72 hours of an applicable action by |
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those agencies. |
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SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025. |