Relating to the plant disease and pest prevention grant program.

89(R) HB 1269 - Engrossed version - Bill Text

89R4225 MP-D

By: González of El Paso, et al.

H.B. No. 1269

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

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

applicant must:

(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

education;

(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

September 1 of each year.

(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

fund; and

(3)

any money appropriated to the fund by the

legislature.

(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.