HB 1269

relating to the plant disease and pest prevention grant program.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1.  Chapter 71, Agriculture Code, is amended by
adding Subchapter Z to read as follows:
SUBCHAPTER Z. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
Sec. 71.901.  PLANT DISEASE AND PEST PREVENTION GRANT
PROGRAM.  (a)  In this section, "extension service" means the Texas
A&M AgriLife Extension Service.
(b)  The extension service shall establish and administer
the plant disease and pest prevention grant program.  Grants
awarded under this section may be used only by the recipient for the
study of plant disease and pest prevention.
(c)  To be eligible to receive a grant under this section, an
(1)  be associated with an institution of higher
education located in this state; and
(2)  provide letters of support from:
(A)  the associated institution of higher
(B)  a representative of the community in which
the research will be conducted; and
(C)  a state elected official who represents the
community in which the research will be conducted.
(d)  The extension service shall:
(1)  establish a selection committee and process to
award grants to eligible applicants whose research proposals have
the most potential benefit to this state;
(2)  award no more than 20 grants per year;
(3)  encourage participation from across this state and
consider regional diversity when awarding grants; and
(4)  award grants and distribute funds not later than
(e)  The extension service may not limit the number of
researchers who are associated with a grant.
(f)  The plant disease and pest prevention fund is an account
in the general revenue fund administered by the extension service.
Money in the account may be used only by the extension service to
award grants under this section.
(g)  The plant disease and pest prevention fund consists of:
(1)  gifts, grants, including federal grants, and other
donations received for the fund;
(2)  interest earned on the investment of money in the
(3)  any money appropriated to the fund by the
(h)  The department may accept gifts, grants, or donations
from any source that are made for the purposes of this section.
Money received under this subsection shall be deposited in the
plant disease and pest prevention fund.
SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
Act takes effect September 1, 2025.