| |
| |
|
|
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
|
|
|
AN ACT
|
|
|
relating to an alert system for dangerous plant and wildlife pests |
|
|
and diseases administered by the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension |
|
|
Service. |
|
|
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
|
|
SECTION 1. Subchapter K, Chapter 88, Education Code, is |
|
|
amended by adding Section 88.823 to read as follows: |
|
|
Sec. 88.823. PEST, DISEASE, AND QUARANTINE ALERT SYSTEM. |
|
|
(a) With the cooperation of the Department of Agriculture, the |
|
|
Texas Animal Health Commission, and the Parks and Wildlife |
|
|
Department, the extension service shall develop and implement a |
|
|
statewide Internet-based alert system for notifications related to |
|
|
wildlife and plant pests, diseases, and quarantines. The alert |
|
|
system must issue notifications for: |
|
|
(1) a confirmed case of a dangerous plant or wildlife |
|
|
pest or disease; |
|
|
(2) the establishment, modification, or removal of a |
|
|
pest or disease quarantine order; and |
|
|
(3) any compliance agreements entered into with the |
|
|
Department of Agriculture related to a pest or disease quarantine. |
|
|
(b) The alert system established under this section must: |
|
|
(1) issue notifications through e-mail; and |
|
|
(2) provide for enrollment in the alert system for |
|
|
delivery of a system notification. |
|
|
(c) The extension service shall enter into a memorandum of |
|
|
understanding with the Department of Agriculture, the Texas Animal |
|
|
Health Commission, and the Parks and Wildlife Department to ensure |
|
|
the extension service is able to issue a required notification |
|
|
under Subsection (a) within 72 hours of an applicable action by |
|
|
those agencies. |
|
|
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023. |