Honorable Bob Hall, Chair, Senate Committee on Agriculture
FROM:
John McGeady, Assistant Director Sarah Keyton, Assistant Director Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
SB1672 by Perry (Relating to the detection and mitigation of plant pests and diseases.), Committee Report 1st House, Substituted
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
The bill would amend the Agriculture Code to require the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) to enter into a cooperative agreement with an institution of higher education for the purpose of the detection and mitigation of plant pests and diseases. An institution of higher education involved in the agreement would conduct early plant pest detection and surveillance, and would provide reports on its activities to TDA. The bill would require TDA to establish a threat identification and mitigation program to address domestic production of crops. TDA would be required to submit an annual report to the Legislature describing its activities and any funds expended. Based on the analysis of TDA, duties and responsibilities associated with implementing the provisions of the bill could be accomplished using existing resources.
Local Government Impact
No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.
Source Agencies:
551 Department of Agriculture, 710 Texas A&M University System Administrative and General Offices, 720 The University of Texas System Administration