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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the creation of the Institute for Animal Health |
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Research and Response. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter E, Chapter 86, Education Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 86.83 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 86.83. INSTITUTE FOR ANIMAL HEALTH RESEARCH AND |
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RESPONSE. (a) In this section: |
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(1) "Institute" means the Institute for Animal Health |
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Research and Response. |
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(b) The Institute for Animal Health Research and Response is |
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a component of Texas A&M University. |
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(c) The institute is under the management and direction of |
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the Texas A&M Agrilife extension. |
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(d) The institute may employ personnel. |
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(e) The institute may accept a gift or grant from any public |
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or private source for the benefit of the institute. |
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(f) The institute may make plans necessary for construction |
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of facilities for research and response. |
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(g) The institute may enter into contract for space and |
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facilities necessary. |
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(h) The institute may prioritize diseases or parasitic |
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insect infestations over others. |
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(i) The institute shall, in partnership with the Texas Parks |
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and Wildlife Department and the Texas Animal Health Commission: |
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(1) study the progression of animal diseases and |
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parasitic insects; |
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(2) analyze the genetic profiles of animals infected |
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with diseases or parasitic insects; |
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(3) develop: |
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(A) strategies to prevent diseases and parasitic |
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insect infestations; |
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(B) efforts to mitigate transmission of diseases |
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and parasitic insect infestations; and |
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(C) treatments for diseases and parasitic insect |
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infestations; and |
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(4) evaluate the implementation of strategies, |
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mitigation efforts, and treatments developed under Subdivision |
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(3). |
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(j) The institute may conduct an activity described by |
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Subsection (f) at a location: |
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(1) in which an animal infected with diseases and |
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parasitic insect infestations was found; |
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(2) operated by Texas Parks and Wildlife; |
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(3) operated by Texas Animal Health Commission; or |
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(4) operated by the institute. |
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SECTION 2. The Texas A&M University System is required to |
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implement a provision of this Act only if the legislature |
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appropriates money specifically for that purpose. If the |
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legislature does not appropriate money specifically for that |
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purpose, the system may, but is not required to, implement a |
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provision of this Act using other appropriations available for that |
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purpose. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025. |