HB1269 - Relating to the plant disease and pest prevention grant program.

  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.