H.B. No. 3289
 
 
 
 
AN ACT
  relating to the penalties for a violation of a quarantine or rule to
  protect pecans or pecan trees from diseases or pests; increasing
  civil penalties.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 71.012, Agriculture Code, is amended by
  amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsections (a-1) and (a-2) to
  read as follows:
         (a)  Except as provided by Subsections (a-1) and (a-2), a [A]
  person who violates this subchapter or a rule adopted under this
  subchapter is liable to the state for a civil penalty of not less
  than $250 nor more than $10,000 for each violation. Each day a
  violation continues may be considered a separate violation for
  purposes of a civil penalty assessment.
         (a-1)  Subject to Subsection (a-2), a person who violates a
  quarantine established under this subchapter against a pest or
  disease affecting pecans or pecan trees or violates a rule adopted
  under this subchapter for the protection of pecans or pecan trees is
  liable to the state for a civil penalty of not less than $500 nor
  more than $20,000 for each violation. Each day a violation
  continues may be considered a separate violation for purposes of a
  civil penalty assessment.
         (a-2)  For the first violation of a quarantine established
  under this subchapter against a pest or disease affecting pecans or
  pecan trees or a violation of a rule adopted under this subchapter
  for the protection of pecans or pecan trees, in lieu of a civil
  penalty, a registrant under Section 71.043 may remedy the violation
  by entering into a compliance agreement with the department and
  returning, treating, or destroying the article subject to the
  quarantine as directed by the department.
         SECTION 2.  Section 71.013, Agriculture Code, is amended by
  amending Subsection (b) and adding Subsection (b-1) to read as
  follows:
         (b)  Except as provided by Subsection (b-1), an [An] offense
  under this section is a Class C misdemeanor.
         (b-1)  For the first violation constituting an offense under
  this section, in lieu of a criminal penalty, a registrant under
  Section 71.043 may remedy the violation by entering into a
  compliance agreement with the department and returning, treating,
  or destroying the article subject to the quarantine as directed by
  the department.
         SECTION 3.  The changes in law made by this Act apply only to
  an offense or other violation committed on or after September 1,
  2021. An offense or other violation committed before September 1,
  2021, is governed by the law in effect on the date the offense or
  violation was committed, and the former law is continued in effect
  for that purpose. For purposes of this section, an offense or
  violation was committed before September 1, 2021, if any element of
  the offense or violation occurred before that date.
         SECTION 4.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.
 
 
  ______________________________ ______________________________
     President of the Senate Speaker of the House     
 
 
         I certify that H.B. No. 3289 was passed by the House on April
  30, 2021, by the following vote:  Yeas 96, Nays 45, 2 present, not
  voting.
 
  ______________________________
  Chief Clerk of the House   
 
 
         I certify that H.B. No. 3289 was passed by the Senate on May
  26, 2021, by the following vote:  Yeas 27, Nays 4.
 
  ______________________________
  Secretary of the Senate    
  APPROVED:  _____________________
                     Date          
   
            _____________________
                   Governor