87R28306 BEF-D
 
  By: Zaffirini, et al. S.B. No. 1772
 
  (Zwiener, Cyrier)
 
  Substitute the following for S.B. No. 1772:  No.
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the establishment of the Texas Pollinator-Smart program
  for solar energy sites.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  The heading to Subchapter K, Chapter 88,
  Education Code, is amended to read as follows:
  SUBCHAPTER K. TEXAS A&M AGRILIFE EXTENSION [SERVICE]
         SECTION 2.  Section 88.821, Education Code, is amended to
  read as follows: 
         Sec. 88.821.  DEFINITION. In this subchapter, "AgriLife
  Extension" or "extension service" means [the] Texas A&M AgriLife
  Extension [Service].
         SECTION 3.  Subchapter K, Chapter 88, Education Code, is
  amended by adding Section 88.824 to read as follows:
         Sec. 88.824.  TEXAS POLLINATOR-SMART PROGRAM. (a) AgriLife
  Extension, in consultation with the Department of Agriculture and
  the Parks and Wildlife Department, shall establish and implement
  the Texas Pollinator-Smart program to encourage the voluntary
  establishment and conservation of habitats for bees, birds, and
  other pollinators in and near solar energy sites.
         (b)  AgriLife Extension, in consultation with the Department
  of Agriculture and the Parks and Wildlife Department, shall develop
  educational materials for the program that include information
  regarding:
               (1)  benefits to solar energy producers, neighboring
  landowners, agricultural producers, and the environment of
  providing pollinator habitats at solar energy sites;
               (2)  resources and practices for establishing and
  maintaining pollinator habitats;
               (3)  native plant species compatible with solar energy
  sites that provide habitat for pollinators;
               (4)  methods to prevent, identify, and eradicate
  invasive species without causing harm to pollinators;
               (5)  any available grants or other financial incentives
  for establishing or maintaining pollinator habitats;
               (6)  examples of pollinator habitats established at
  solar energy sites in this state or other locations; and
               (7)  the Texas Pollinator-Smart certificate under
  Subsection (c).
         (c)  AgriLife Extension shall, in consultation with the
  Department of Agriculture and the Parks and Wildlife Department,
  award the Texas Pollinator-Smart certificate to solar energy sites
  with pollinator habitats that meet or achieve a standard determined
  by AgriLife Extension.
         (d)  AgriLife Extension may provide advice and technical
  assistance to participants and potential participants in the Texas
  Pollinator-Smart program, including reports evaluating the
  suitability of solar energy sites.
         (e)  Participation in the Texas Pollinator-Smart program by
  a solar energy site is voluntary.
         SECTION 4.  Texas A&M AgriLife Extension 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, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension may, but is not required to,
  implement a provision of this Act using other appropriations
  available for that purpose.
         SECTION 5.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.