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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 10, Health and Safety Code, is amended by |
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adding Chapter 830 to read as follows: |
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CHAPTER 830. INTERSTATE COMPACT FOR ANIMAL HEALTH INITIATIVES |
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Sec. 830.001. 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. 830.002. 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. 830.003. 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 to prevent or treat animal disease outbreaks, |
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including diseases caused by parasitic insects, in this state; |
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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 infrastructure, |
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equipment, software, personnel, and other resources that are |
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necessary or convenient to ensure the purposes described by this |
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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 each compacting state, provide for joint action among |
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the compacting states on the execution and enforcement of |
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agreements or memoranda of understanding with the United States |
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Department of Agriculture, the United States Food and Drug |
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Administration, the United States Environmental Protection Agency, |
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or any other federal agency for the purpose of protecting and |
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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 to the credit of a separate |
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fund to be used only for expenses related to the planning, |
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development, operation, or coordination of animal health |
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initiatives undertaken in accordance with 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 on the 91st day after the last day of the |
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legislative session. |