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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to a feasibility report on the creation of a border |
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agricultural inspection training program. |
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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 12.049 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 12.049. FEASIBILITY REPORT ON BORDER AGRICULTURAL |
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INSPECTION TRAINING PROGRAM. (a) The department shall consider the |
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feasibility of creating and administering a program to: |
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(1) train department employees to meet federal |
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standards for agricultural inspectors performing inspections, |
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other than inspections of animals as defined by Section 161.001, at |
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ports of entry along the border with the United Mexican States; and |
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(2) allow department employees trained as provided by |
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Subdivision (1) to assist the United States Customs and Border |
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Protection and the United States Department of Agriculture with |
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agricultural inspections, other than inspections of animals as |
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defined by Section 161.001, at ports of entry along the border with |
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the United Mexican States with the goal of reducing the wait time |
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for an agricultural inspection of a vehicle. |
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(b) The department shall determine whether any agreements |
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with the federal government are required to implement a program |
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described by Subsection (a) and the nature of those agreements. |
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(c) Not later than December 31, 2014, the department shall |
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submit a report to the committees of each house of the legislature |
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with primary jurisdiction over agriculture concerning the |
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feasibility of a program described by Subsection (a) and the nature |
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of any agreements with the federal government required to implement |
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the program. |
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(d) This section expires August 31, 2015. |
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SECTION 2. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives |
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a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as |
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provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this |
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Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this |
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Act takes effect September 1, 2013. |