88R20490 MP-D
 
  By: González of Dallas, Rose, Anderson, H.B. No. 2886
      Guillen, Walle, et al.
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the establishment of the office of food system security
  and resiliency in the Department of Agriculture.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Chapter 12, Agriculture Code, is amended by
  adding Section 12.052 to read as follows:
         Sec. 12.052.  OFFICE OF FOOD SYSTEM SECURITY AND RESILIENCY.
  (a)  In this section, "office" means the office of food system
  security and resiliency established by this section.
         (b)  The office of food system security and resiliency is
  established as a division within the department.
         (c)  The office is responsible for food system security and
  resiliency in this state, including:
               (1)  coordinating state resources and programs so food
  access industry professionals can efficiently use resources to meet
  the needs of this state;
               (2)  ensuring a food system in this state that is free
  of disruption;
               (3)  promoting the growth, manufacture, and processing
  of agricultural products in this state for farm-to-store and
  farm-to-table consumption;
               (4)  developing regional food system security and
  resiliency planning by working with other state agencies, counties,
  municipalities, school districts, and local governments; and
               (5)  promoting policies to establish more localized
  food markets or food access points through measures such as:
                     (A)  connecting retailers, distributors,
  municipalities, counties, school districts, and other local
  governments to local producers; and
                     (B)  collaborating with local stakeholders to
  expand food access across this state.
         (d)  The office shall, not later than December 1 of each
  even-numbered year, make recommendations to the legislature for
  legislation that may improve food system security and resiliency in
  this state.
         (e)  If the Texas food system security and resiliency
  planning council is established by an Act of the 88th Legislature,
  Regular Session, 2023, the office shall manage that council and
  coordinate with that council to implement Subsection (c)(5).
         SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.