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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the task force on pollinator health. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 131, Agriculture Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 131.011 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 131.011. TASK FORCE ON POLLINATOR HEALTH. (a) In this |
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section, "task force" means the task force on pollinator health |
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under this section. The governor shall establish the task force and |
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the membership of the task force. |
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(b) The task force consists of members appointed by the |
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governor, including: |
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(1) one member who is a university faculty member |
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specializing in the science of pollinator health; |
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(2) one member representing an advocacy group for |
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nurseries and greenhouse producers; |
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(3) one member representing an advocacy group for |
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agriculture in this state; |
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(4) one member representing an advocacy group |
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dedicated to the protection of pollinators and invertebrates; |
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(5) one member representing an advocacy group for |
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pesticide applicators; |
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(6) one member who is certified as a master gardener by |
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the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service and who represents the |
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public; |
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(7) one member who is a beekeeper and who represents |
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the public; and |
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(8) one member who is an employee of the Parks and |
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Wildlife Department who specializes in melittology. |
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(c) The task force shall undertake activities to examine |
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issues relevant to pollinator health, including: |
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(1) identifying ways the state can incentivize the |
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development of new pollinator habitat in residential, commercial, |
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and public areas; |
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(2) studying public education and outreach plans |
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regarding pollinator health that have been successful in other |
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states; |
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(3) investigating the means used by other states to |
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gather data on populations of bees or other pollinating insects; |
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and |
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(4) identifying ways to prevent loss of pollinator |
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habitat. |
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(d) The task force may take actions necessary and proper to |
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carry out the work of the task force, including scheduling hearings |
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and taking testimony on matters related to pollinator health. |
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(e) A majority of the members of the task force constitutes |
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a quorum for the transaction of business. |
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(f) Official action by the task force requires the approval |
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of a majority of the members of the task force. |
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(g) The task force shall elect one of its members to serve as |
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presiding officer. |
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(h) The governor shall appoint a qualified person to fill a |
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vacancy on the task force. |
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(i) The task force shall meet at times and places specified |
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by the call of the presiding officer or of a majority of the members |
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of the task force. |
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(j) The task force may adopt bylaws necessary for the |
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operation of the task force. |
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(k) Not later than October 1, 2026, the task force shall |
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submit a report, which may include recommendations for legislation, |
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to the standing committees of the senate and the house of |
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representatives with primary jurisdiction over agriculture. The |
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task force may provide progress reports to those committees before |
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October 1, 2026. |
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(l) The governor may provide staff support to the task |
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force. |
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(m) Members of the task force are not entitled to |
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compensation but may be reimbursed for actual and necessary travel |
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and other expenses incurred in the performance of their official |
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duties in the manner and amounts provided for in the General |
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Appropriations Act. |
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(n) Each state agency shall assist the task force in the |
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performance of its duties and, to the extent permitted by laws |
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relating to confidentiality, shall furnish information and advice |
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that the members of the task force consider necessary to perform |
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their duties. |
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(o) A member of the task force may participate remotely in a |
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meeting of the task force by means of a video conference call or |
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online service. |
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(p) This section expires December 31, 2026. |
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SECTION 2. Not later than October 1, 2025, the governor |
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shall appoint the members of the task force on pollinator health |
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under Section 131.011(b), Agriculture Code, as added by this Act. |
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SECTION 3. 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. |