BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	S.B. 2850
89R3542 KRM-D	By: Men�ndez
	Water, Agriculture and Rural Affairs
	5/9/2025
	As Filed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

There are concerns over pollinator populations in Texas and while beekeepers are doing what they can to help maintain the bee population, there have been losses over the past few years. According to a Texas A&M Stories article, the Bee Informed Partnership's colony loss report showed that Texas experienced an annual loss of 33.9 percent in honey bee population from April 2021 to April 2022. In addition, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, from April through June of 2022, 45.2 percent of honey bee colonies nationwide were reported to be affected by varroa mites. Currently, the state does not have a task force focused on this issue to provide aid or recommendations on how to protect the state's bee population.

S.B. 2850 requires the governor to establish the task force on pollinator health to undertake activities to examine issues relevant to pollinator health.

As proposed, S.B. 2850 amends current law relating to the task force on pollinator health.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Subchapter A, Chapter 131, Agriculture Code, by adding Section 131.011, as follows:

Sec. 131.011. TASK FORCE ON POLLINATOR HEALTH. (a) Defines "task force."

(b) Provides that the task force on pollinator health (task force) consists of members appointed by the governor, including certain specified persons.

(c) Requires the task force to undertake activities to examine issues relevant to pollinators health, including certain ways to prevent loss of pollinator habitat.

(d) Authorizes the task force to take actions necessary and proper to carry out the work of the task force, including scheduling hearings and taking testimony on matters related to pollinator health.

(e) Provides that a majority of the members of the task force constitutes a quorum for the transaction of business.

(f) Provides that official action by the task force requires the approval of a majority of the members of the task force.

(g) Requires the task force to elect one of its members to serve as presiding officer.

(h) Requires the governor to appoint a qualified person to fill a vacancy on the task force

(i) Requires the task force to meet at times and places specified by the call of the presiding officer or of a majority of the members of the task force.

(j) Authorizes the task force to adopt bylaws necessary for the operation of the task force.

(k) Provides that the task force, not later than October 1, 2026, is required to submit a report, which is authorized to include recommendations for legislation, to the standing committees of the senate and the house of representatives with primary jurisdiction over agriculture. Authorizes the task force to provide progress reports to those committees before October 1, 2026.

(l) Authorizes the governor to provide staff support to the task force.

(m) Provides that members of the task force are not entitled to compensation but are authorized to be reimbursed for actual and necessary travel and other expenses incurred in the performance of their official duties in the manner and amounts provided for in the General Appropriations Act.

(n) Requires each state agency to assist the task force in the performance of its duties and, to the extent permitted by laws relating to confidentiality, to furnish information and advice that the members of the task force consider necessary to perform their duties.

(o) Authorizes a member of the task force to participate remotely in a meeting of the task force by means of a video conference call or online service.

(p) Provides that this section expires December 31, 2026.

SECTION 2. Requires the governor, not later than October 1, 2025, to appoint the members of the task force on pollinator health under Section 131.011(b), Agriculture Code, as added by this Act.

SECTION 3. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2025.