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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the plant disease and pest prevention grant program. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Chapter 71, Agriculture Code, is amended by |
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adding Subchapter Z to read as follows: |
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SUBCHAPTER Z. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS |
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Sec. 71.901. PLANT DISEASE AND PEST PREVENTION GRANT |
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PROGRAM. (a) In this section, "extension service" means the Texas |
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A&M AgriLife Extension Service. |
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(b) The extension service shall establish and administer |
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the plant disease and pest prevention grant program. Grants |
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awarded under this section may be used only by the recipient for the |
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study of plant disease and pest prevention. |
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(c) To be eligible to receive a grant under this section, an |
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applicant must: |
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(1) be associated with an institution of higher |
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education located in this state; and |
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(2) provide letters of support from: |
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(A) the associated institution of higher |
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education; |
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(B) a representative of the community in which |
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the research will be conducted; and |
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(C) a state elected official who represents the |
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community in which the research will be conducted. |
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(d) The extension service shall: |
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(1) establish a selection committee and process to |
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award grants to eligible applicants whose research proposals have |
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the most potential benefit to this state; |
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(2) award no more than 20 grants per year; |
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(3) encourage participation from across this state and |
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consider regional diversity when awarding grants; and |
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(4) award grants and distribute funds not later than |
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September 1 of each year. |
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(e) The extension service may not limit the number of |
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researchers who are associated with a grant. |
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(f) The plant disease and pest prevention fund is an account |
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in the general revenue fund administered by the extension service. |
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Money in the account may be used only by the extension service to |
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award grants under this section. |
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(g) The plant disease and pest prevention fund consists of: |
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(1) gifts, grants, including federal grants, and other |
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donations received for the fund; |
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(2) interest earned on the investment of money in the |
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fund; and |
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(3) any money appropriated to the fund by the |
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legislature. |
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(h) The department may accept gifts, grants, or donations |
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from any source that are made for the purposes of this section. |
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Money received under this subsection shall be deposited in the |
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plant disease and pest prevention fund. |
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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. |