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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the establishment of the Institute for Animal Health |
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Research and Response at Texas A&M University. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 61.003(6), Education Code, is amended to |
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read as follows: |
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(6) "Other agency of higher education" means The |
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University of Texas System, System Administration; The University |
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of Texas at El Paso Museum; Texas Epidemic Public Health Institute |
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at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston; The |
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Texas A&M University System, Administrative and General Offices; |
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Texas A&M AgriLife Research; Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service; |
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Rodent and Predatory Animal Control Service (a part of the Texas A&M |
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AgriLife Extension Service); Institute for Animal Health Research |
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and Response at Texas A&M University; Texas A&M Engineering |
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Experiment Station (including the Texas A&M Transportation |
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Institute); Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service; Texas A&M |
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Forest Service; Texas Division of Emergency Management; Texas Tech |
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University Museum; Texas State University System, System |
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Administration; Sam Houston Memorial Museum; Panhandle-Plains |
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Historical Museum; Cotton Research Committee of Texas; Texas Water |
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Resources Institute; Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic |
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Laboratory; and any other unit, division, institution, or agency |
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which shall be so designated by statute or which may be established |
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to operate as a component part of any public senior college or |
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university, or which may be so classified as provided in this |
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chapter. |
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SECTION 2. 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) "Board" means the board of regents of The Texas A&M |
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University System. |
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(2) "Institute" means the Institute for Animal Health |
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Research and Response. |
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(b) The board shall establish and maintain the Institute for |
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Animal Health Research and Response as a component of Texas A&M |
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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 Service. |
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(d) The institute shall, in collaboration with the Parks and |
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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 animal diseases and |
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parasitic insect infestations; |
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(B) efforts to mitigate transmission of animal |
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diseases and parasitic insect infestations; and |
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(C) treatments for animal diseases and parasitic |
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insect 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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(e) The institute may conduct an activity described by |
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Subsection (d) at a location: |
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(1) in which an animal infected with an animal disease |
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or parasitic insect infestation has been found; |
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(2) operated by the Parks and Wildlife Department; |
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(3) operated by the Texas Animal Health Commission; or |
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(4) operated by the institute. |
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(f) The institute may employ personnel. |
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(g) The institute may make plans and enter into contracts |
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for the construction and use of necessary facilities. |
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(h) The institute may accept gifts, grants, and donations |
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from any source for the purposes of the institute. |
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(i) The institute may prioritize the study, analysis, and |
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development of strategies, mitigation efforts, and treatments for |
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animal diseases or parasitic insect infestations as the institute |
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deems necessary. |
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(j) The board is required to implement a provision of this |
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section only if the legislature appropriates money specifically for |
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that purpose. If the legislature does not appropriate money |
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specifically for that purpose, the board may, but is not required |
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to, implement the provision using other money available to the |
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board for that purpose. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect on the 91st day after the |
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last day of the legislative session. |