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