By: Guerra, et al. H.B. No. 1371

(Senate Sponsor - Lucio, Blanco, Zaffirini)

(In the Senate - Received from the House April 21, 2021; May 3, 2021, read first time and referred to Committee on Transportation; May 10, 2021, reported adversely, with favorable Committee Substitute by the following vote: Yeas 8, Nays 0; May 10, 2021, sent to printer.) Click here to see the committee vote

COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR H.B. No. 1371 By: Blanco

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the continuation of the Trade Agricultural Inspection Grant Program.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Sections 12.050(k) and (l), Agriculture Code, are amended to read as follows:

(k) Not later than January 15, 2025 [2021], the department shall evaluate the performance of the program under this section and submit a report to the legislature. The report must include an evaluation of agricultural inspections affected by the program, including the extent to which the program is reducing wait times for agricultural inspections of vehicles at ports of entry along the border with the United Mexican States.

(l) Unless continued in existence by the legislature, this section expires September 1, 2025 [2021].

SECTION 2. The Department of Agriculture is required to implement a provision of this Act only if the legislature appropriates money specifically for that purpose. If the legislature does not appropriate money specifically for that purpose, the department may, but is not required to, implement a provision of this Act using other appropriations available for that purpose.

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, 2021.

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