BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

Senate Research Center	H.B. 70
86R20921 TSR-D	By: Gonz�lez, Mary et al. (Hall)
	Agriculture
	5/8/2019
	Engrossed

 

 

 

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

 

H.B. 70 amends current law relating to a strategic plan goal by the Department of Agriculture to prevent crop diseases and plant pests in this state.

 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

 

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

 

SECTION 1. Amends Chapter 12, Agriculture Code, by adding Section 12.008, as follows:

 

Sec. 12.008. STRATEGIC PLAN GOAL: CROP DISEASE AND PLANT PEST PREVENTION. Requires the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) to include in TDA's strategic plan required under Chapter 2056 (Strategic Plans of Operation), Government Code, a goal of preventing crop diseases and plant pests in this state by:

 

(1) improving TDA's preventative management practices concerning crop diseases and plant pests;

 

(2) increasing the performance of activities directly related to crop disease and plant pest prevention;

 

(3) creating and implementing a strong surveillance program that includes activities designed to:

 

(A) identify and locate any possible source of infection or exposure to domestic or foreign diseases or pests that affect crops grown in this state; and

 

(B) aid TDA in the early detection of any domestic, foreign, or emerging crop diseases and plant pests;

 

(4) evaluating TDA's diagnostic procedures to ensure the performance of diagnostic evaluations and investigations occurs timely and accurately;

 

(5) improving the effectiveness of TDA's control and eradication methods;

 

(6) evaluating and expanding, if necessary, TDA's emergency management activities related to crop diseases and plant pests; and

 

(7) addressing how TDA will educate farmers, agricultural producers, and communities that sustain agriculture in this state about crop disease and plant pest prevention.

 

SECTION 2. Requires TDA to, using existing funds, include in the first strategic plan under Chapter 2056, Government Code, issued after the effective date of this Act the goal and methods of implementing the goal required by Section 12.008, Agriculture Code, as added by this Act.

 

SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 2019.