H.B. No. 3227
 
 
 
 
AN ACT
  relating to the administration and enforcement of produce safety
  standards by the Department of Agriculture; authorizing an
  administrative penalty.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 12.020(c), Agriculture Code, is amended
  to read as follows:
         (c)  The provisions of law subject to this section and the
  applicable penalty amounts are as follows:
 
 
 
Provision Amount of Penalty  
 
 
Chapters 13, 14A, 17, 18, 19, 41, 46, 61, 72, 73, 74, 76, 94, 95, 101, 102, 103, 125, 132,    
 
Chapters 13, 14A, 17, 18, 19, 41, 46, 61, 72, 73, 74, 76, 94, 95, 101, 102, 103, 125, 132,    
 
Chapters 13, 14A, 17, 18, 19, 41, 46, 61, 72, 73, 74, 76, 94, 95, 101, 102, 103, 125, 132,    
 
and 134 not more than $5,000
 
 
 
 
Subchapters A, B, and C, Chapter 71 not more than $5,000
 
Chapter 14 not more than $10,000
 
Chapter 1951, Occupations Code not more than $5,000
 
Chapter 153, Natural Resources    
 
Code not more than $5,000
 
Section 91.009 not more than $5,000.
         SECTION 2.  Section 91.009, Agriculture Code, is amended to
  read as follows:
         Sec. 91.009.  COORDINATION OF PRODUCE [FOOD] SAFETY. (a)
  The department is the lead agency for the administration,
  implementation, and enforcement of, and education and training
  relating to, the United States Food and Drug Administration
  Standards for the Growing, Harvesting, Packing, and Holding of
  Produce for Human Consumption (21 C.F.R. Part 112) or any successor
  federal produce safety rule or standard.
         (a-1)  The department [and] shall assist the fresh fruit and
  vegetable industries with produce [food] safety issues and may
  provide assistance to federal agencies in their implementation of
  [voluntary] guidelines relating to sound agricultural practices.
         (b)  The department shall coordinate and[,] plan[, and
  approve] training and awareness programs for producers and packers
  of fresh fruits and vegetables. A program under this subsection
  must inform and educate producers and packers regarding:
               (1)  sound agricultural practices;
               (2)  proper produce [food] handling procedures;
               (3)  the prevention of accidental or deliberately
  planned outbreaks of disease; and
               (4)  the enhancement of overall produce [food] safety.
         (c)  The department shall coordinate the planning and
  implementation of programs required by Subsection (b) with:
               (1)  colleges and universities in this state;
               (2)  the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service;
               (3)  Texas A&M AgriLife Research;
               (4)  the Department of State Health Services; [and]
               (5)  private industry; and
               (6)  nongovernmental organizations.
         (c-1)  The department may enter into a cooperative
  agreement, interagency agreement, grant agreement, or memorandum
  of understanding with a federal or state agency for the
  administration, implementation, or enforcement of this section.
         (d)  The department may adopt rules to administer,
  implement, and enforce this section. In the development of rules
  under this section [for the certification of approved food safety
  curriculum or training], the department may consider relevant
  state, federal, or national standards and may [shall] consult [and
  coordinate] with federal or state agencies [the Department of State
  Health Services].
         SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
  a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
  provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this
  Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
  Act takes effect September 1, 2017.
 
 
  ______________________________ ______________________________
     President of the Senate Speaker of the House     
 
 
         I certify that H.B. No. 3227 was passed by the House on May 6,
  2017, by the following vote:  Yeas 118, Nays 26, 2 present, not
  voting.
 
  ______________________________
  Chief Clerk of the House   
 
 
         I certify that H.B. No. 3227 was passed by the Senate on May
  19, 2017, by the following vote:  Yeas 26, Nays 5.
 
  ______________________________
  Secretary of the Senate    
  APPROVED:  _____________________
                     Date          
   
            _____________________
                   Governor