HB 1276

AN ACT relating to a study of this state's response to plant disease or

House Bill • González, Mary | Kitzman | King

Filed

Bill introduced by legislator

Committee

Hearing

Passed Cmte

Calendar

Passed

Sent

Enrolled

Governor

Signed

Filed

Bill introduced by legislator

In Committee

Hearing Scheduled

Passed Committee

Floor Calendar

Passed Chamber

Sent to Other Chamber

Passed Both Chambers

Sent to Governor

Signed into Law

89th Regular Session

Jan 14, 2025 - Jun 2, 2025 • Session ended

Awaiting Committee Assignment

Bill filed, pending referral to House committee

← Back to Bills

Committee

Not yet assigned

Fiscal Note

Not available

What This Bill Does

Requires the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service to conduct a comprehensive study on the state's response to plant disease and pest outbreaks, examining how such incidents are identified, reported, and contained. By December 1, 2026, the service must submit a detailed report to state leadership, including recommendations for improving Texas's current systems for detecting and managing plant health emergencies. The study will help agricultural stakeholders and policymakers better prepare for and respond to potential plant disease threats, with the research and recommendations expiring on September 1, 2027.

Subject Areas

Agriculture TEXAS A&M AGRILIFE EXTENSION SERVICE Interim Studies

Bill Text

relating to a study of this state's response to plant disease or
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1.  STUDY.  The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service
shall conduct a study to evaluate this state's response to plant
disease or pest outbreaks, including how this state identifies or
is notified of an outbreak and this state's capabilities for
handling and containing an outbreak.
SECTION 2.  REPORT.  Not later than December 1, 2026, the
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service shall submit a report on the
results of the study required to be conducted under this Act to the
governor, the lieutenant governor, the speaker of the house of
representatives, each member of the legislature, and the
commissioner of agriculture.  The report must include
recommendations for improving this state's current system of
identifying and reporting plant disease or pest outbreaks and this
state's response to plant disease or pest outbreaks.
SECTION 3.  EXPIRATION.  This Act expires September 1, 2027.
SECTION 4.  EFFECTIVE DATE.  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.