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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to an interstate compact for animal health initiatives. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Title 7, Government Code, is amended by adding |
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Chapter 795 to read as follows: |
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CHAPTER 795. INTERSTATE COMPACT FOR ANIMAL HEALTH INITIATIVES |
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Sec. 795.001. AUTHORITY TO DEVELOP AND EXECUTE COMPACT. On |
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behalf of this state, the governor shall develop and execute an |
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interstate compact for animal health initiatives among interested |
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states. |
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Sec. 795.002. CONGRESSIONAL APPROVAL NOT REQUIRED. (a) It |
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is the intent of the legislature that the compact developed and |
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executed under this chapter not require congressional approval. |
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(b) The compact may not increase the political power of the |
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compacting states in relation to the federal government. |
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Sec. 795.003. INTERSTATE COMPACT PROVISIONS. (a) The |
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compact authorized by this chapter must provide for joint action |
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among compacting states on matters that include: |
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(1) sharing state resources in order to build a |
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research center, a comprehensive surveillance system, and a |
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response plan for any animal health disease or parasitic insect |
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outbreaks on state land to prevent or treat animal health |
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outbreaks; |
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(2) sharing other animal health resources to ensure |
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the protection of livestock, wildlife, and other animals; and, |
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(3) providing mutual support for the resources, |
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including infrastructure, equipment, software, and personnel, that |
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are necessary or convenient to ensure that the purpose describes by |
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this section are adequately supported and achieved. |
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(b) The compact authorized by this chapter may, at the |
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discretion of individual states, provide for joint action among |
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compacting states on the execution and enforcement of agreements or |
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memoranda of understanding with the United States Department of |
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Agriculture, the United States Food and Drug Administration, the |
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United States Environmental Protection Agency, or any other federal |
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agency for the purpose of protecting and researching animal health. |
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(c) The compact may authorize the transfer of money from |
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other compacting states to this state for the purpose of supporting |
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animal health research and response activities. Any money received |
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under this subsection must be deposited in a fund that shall be used |
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for expenses related to the planning, development, operation, or |
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coordination of animal health initiatives undertaken pursuant to |
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this compact. |
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SECTION 2. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives |
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a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as |
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provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this |
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Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this |
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Act takes effect September 1, 2025. |