Sec. 71.205.  SPECIAL FUNDING CONSIDERATIONS.  The department shall provide money to an institution of higher education to carry out plant pest and disease detection and surveillance under a cooperative agreement if the department determines that:
(1)  the institution of higher education is in a region of this state that has a high risk of being affected by one or more plant pests or diseases based on:
(A)  the region's conduciveness to agricultural pest and disease establishment due to location, agricultural commodities produced, climate, crop diversity, or natural resources; or
(B)  the department's determination that an agricultural pest or disease in the region is a state or federal concern; and
(2)  the plant pest and disease detection and surveillance supported by the money will likely:
(A)  prevent the introduction, establishment, or widespread dissemination of plant pests and diseases; and
(B)  provide a comprehensive approach to complement federal and state plant pest and disease detection efforts.
Added by Acts 2021, 87th Leg., R.S., Ch. 27 (H.B. 2089), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2021.