H.B. No. 70
 
 
 
 
AN ACT
  relating to a strategic plan goal by the Department of Agriculture
  to prevent crop diseases and plant pests in this state.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Chapter 12, Agriculture Code, is amended by
  adding Section 12.008 to read as follows:
         Sec. 12.008.  STRATEGIC PLAN GOAL: CROP DISEASE AND PLANT
  PEST PREVENTION. The department shall include in the department's
  strategic plan required under Chapter 2056, Government Code, a goal
  of preventing crop diseases and plant pests in this state by:
               (1)  improving the department'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 the department in the early detection of
  any domestic, foreign, or emerging crop diseases and plant pests;
               (4)  evaluating the department's diagnostic procedures
  to ensure the performance of diagnostic evaluations and
  investigations occurs timely and accurately;
               (5)  improving the effectiveness of the department's
  control and eradication methods;
               (6)  evaluating and expanding, if necessary, the
  department's emergency management activities related to crop
  diseases and plant pests; and
               (7)  addressing how the department will educate
  farmers, agricultural producers, and communities that sustain
  agriculture in this state about crop disease and plant pest
  prevention.
         SECTION 2.  The Department of Agriculture shall, 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.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2019.
 
 
  ______________________________ ______________________________
     President of the Senate Speaker of the House     
 
 
         I certify that H.B. No. 70 was passed by the House on April
  30, 2019, by the following vote:  Yeas 144, Nays 3, 1 present, not
  voting.
 
  ______________________________
  Chief Clerk of the House   
 
 
         I certify that H.B. No. 70 was passed by the Senate on May 15,
  2019, by the following vote:  Yeas 31, Nays 0.
 
  ______________________________
  Secretary of the Senate    
  APPROVED:  _____________________
                     Date          
   
            _____________________
                   Governor