HB1437 - Relating to the task force on pollinator health.

  89R3542 KRM-D     By: González of El Paso, et al. H.B. No. 1437       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to the task force on pollinator health.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Subchapter A, Chapter 131, Agriculture Code, is   amended by adding Section 131.011 to read as follows:           Sec.   131.011.     TASK FORCE ON POLLINATOR HEALTH. (a)   In this   section, "task force"   means the task force on pollinator health   under this section.   The governor shall establish the task force and   the membership of the task force.           (b)     The task force consists of members appointed by the   governor, including:                 (1)     one member who is a university faculty member   specializing in the science of pollinator health;                 (2)     one member representing an advocacy group for   nurseries and greenhouse producers;                 (3)     one member representing an advocacy group for   agriculture in this state;                 (4)     one member representing an advocacy group   dedicated to the protection of pollinators and invertebrates;                 (5)     one member representing an advocacy group for   pesticide applicators;                 (6)     one member who is certified as a master gardener by   the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service and who represents the   public;                 (7)     one member who is a beekeeper and who represents   the public; and                 (8)     one member who is an employee of the Parks and   Wildlife Department who specializes in melittology.           (c)     The task force shall undertake activities to examine   issues relevant to pollinator health, including:                 (1)     identifying ways the state can incentivize the   development of new pollinator habitat in residential, commercial,   and public areas;                 (2)     studying public education and outreach plans   regarding pollinator health that have been successful in other   states;                 (3)     investigating the means used by other states to   gather data on populations of bees or other pollinating insects;   and                 (4)     identifying ways to prevent loss of pollinator   habitat.           (d)     The task force may take actions necessary and proper to   carry out the work of the task force, including scheduling hearings   and taking testimony on matters related to pollinator health.           (e)     A majority of the members of the task force constitutes   a quorum for the transaction of business.           (f)     Official action by the task force requires the approval   of a majority of the members of the task force.           (g)     The task force shall elect one of its members to serve as   presiding officer.           (h)     The governor shall appoint a qualified person to fill a   vacancy on the task force.           (i)     The task force shall meet at times and places specified   by the call of the presiding officer or of a majority of the members   of the task force.           (j)     The task force may adopt bylaws necessary for the   operation of the task force.           (k)     Not later than October 1, 2026, the task force shall   submit a report, which may include recommendations for legislation,   to the standing committees of the senate and the house of   representatives with primary jurisdiction over agriculture. The   task force may provide progress reports to those committees before   October 1, 2026.           (l)     The governor may provide staff support to the task   force.           (m)     Members of the task force are not entitled to   compensation but may be reimbursed for actual and necessary travel   and other expenses incurred in the performance of their official   duties in the manner and amounts provided for in the General   Appropriations Act.           (n)     Each state agency shall assist the task force in the   performance of its duties and, to the extent permitted by laws   relating to confidentiality, shall furnish information and advice   that the members of the task force consider necessary to perform   their duties.           (o)     A member of the task force may participate remotely in a   meeting of the task force by means of a video conference call or   online service.           (p)  This section expires December 31, 2026.          SECTION 2.  Not later than October 1, 2025, the governor   shall appoint the members of the task force on pollinator health   under Section 131.011(b), Agriculture Code, as added by this Act.          SECTION 3.  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.