|
|
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
|
|
AN ACT
|
|
|
relating to disclaimers by certain entities promulgating lists of |
|
noxious or invasive terrestrial plant species. |
|
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
|
SECTION 1. Subchapter D, Chapter 71, Agriculture Code, is |
|
amended by adding Section 71.154 to read as follows: |
|
Sec. 71.154. DISCLAIMER REQUIRED. (a) A public entity, |
|
other than the department, that produces for public distribution to |
|
commercial or residential landscapers a list of noxious or invasive |
|
terrestrial plant species that includes a species growing in this |
|
state shall provide with the list a disclaimer that states: "THIS |
|
PLANT LIST IS ONLY A RECOMMENDATION AND HAS NO LEGAL EFFECT IN THE |
|
STATE OF TEXAS. IT IS LAWFUL TO SELL, DISTRIBUTE, IMPORT, OR |
|
POSSESS A PLANT ON THIS LIST UNLESS THE TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF |
|
AGRICULTURE LABELS THE PLANT AS NOXIOUS OR INVASIVE ON THE |
|
DEPARTMENT'S PLANT LIST." |
|
(b) A public entity, other than the department, that |
|
produces a list of noxious or invasive terrestrial plant species in |
|
printed material made for public distribution to commercial or |
|
residential landscapers, including a newspaper, trade publication, |
|
notice, circular, or Internet website, shall post the disclaimer |
|
required by Subsection (a) in at least 12-point type in a |
|
conspicuous location readily visible by persons viewing the list. |
|
(c) The department shall adopt rules requiring a public |
|
entity to include the disclaimer required by Subsection (a) in a |
|
manner equivalent to the manner described by Subsection (b) for |
|
publication of the entity's list of noxious or invasive terrestrial |
|
plant species through media not described by Subsection (b), |
|
including billboards, radio productions, and television |
|
productions. |
|
SECTION 2. Section 71.154, Agriculture Code, as added by |
|
this Act, applies only to a list that is published or distributed on |
|
or after the effective date of this Act. A list that is published or |
|
distributed before the effective date of this Act is governed by the |
|
law in effect immediately before the effective date of this Act, and |
|
the former law is continued in effect for that purpose. |
|
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2011. |
|
|
|
* * * * * |