HB1203 - Relating to the establishment of the office of food system security and resiliency in the Department of Agriculture and the management of the Texas food system security and resiliency planning council.

  89R914 MP-D     By: González of Dallas, Rose, H.B. No. 1203       Lopez of Cameron, Guerra, et al.       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to the establishment of the office of food system security   and resiliency in the Department of Agriculture and the management   of the Texas food system security and resiliency planning council.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Chapter 12, Agriculture Code, is amended by   adding Section 12.052 to read as follows:           Sec.   12.052.     OFFICE OF FOOD SYSTEM SECURITY AND RESILIENCY.   (a)   In this section, "office" means the office of food system   security and resiliency established by this section.           (b)     The office of food system security and resiliency is   established as a division within the department.           (c)     The office is responsible for food system security and   resiliency in this state, including:                 (1)     coordinating state resources and programs so food   access industry professionals can efficiently use resources to meet   the needs of this state;                 (2)     ensuring a food system in this state that is free   of disruption;                 (3)     promoting the growth, manufacture, and processing   of agricultural products in this state for farm-to-store and   farm-to-table consumption;                 (4)     developing regional food system security and   resiliency planning by working with other state agencies, counties,   municipalities, school districts, and local governments; and                 (5)     promoting policies to establish more localized   food markets or food access points through measures such as:                       (A)     connecting retailers, distributors,   municipalities, counties, school districts, and other local   governments to local producers; and                       (B)     collaborating with local stakeholders to   expand food access across this state.           (d)     The office shall, not later than December 1 of each   even-numbered year, make recommendations to the legislature for   legislation that may improve food system security and resiliency in   this state.           (e)     The office shall manage the Texas food system security   and resiliency planning council under Chapter 23.          SECTION 2.  Section 23.001(2), Agriculture Code, is amended   to read as follows:                (2)  "Office" means[ :                      [ (A) ]  the office of food system security and   resiliency under Section 12.052 [ if that office is established as a   division within the department by an Act of the 88th Legislature,   Regular Session, 2023; or                      [ (B)     the food and nutrition division of the   department if the office of food system security and resiliency is   not established as a division within the department by an Act of the   88th Legislature, Regular Session, 2023 ].          SECTION 3.  (a)  Not later than December 31, 2025, the   Department of Agriculture shall establish the office of food system   security and resiliency under Section 12.052, Agriculture Code, as   added by this Act.          (b)  The food and nutrition division of the Department of   Agriculture shall continue to manage the Texas food system security   and resiliency planning council until the department establishes   the office of food system security and resiliency.          SECTION 4.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.