Sec. 80.020.  AUTHORITY TO PROHIBIT PLANTING OF CITRUS AND REQUIRE PARTICIPATION IN SUPPRESSION PROGRAM.  (a)  The commissioner may adopt reasonable rules regarding areas where citrus may not be planted in a pest management zone if there is reason to believe planting will jeopardize the success of the program or present a hazard to public health or safety.
(b)  The commissioner may adopt rules requiring all growers of citrus in a pest management zone to participate in a pest suppression program and growers of commercial citrus to participate in pest and disease management programs that include cost sharing as required by the rules.
(c)  Notice of a prohibition or requirement shall be given by publication for one day each week for three successive weeks in a newspaper having general circulation in the affected area.
(d)  The commissioner may adopt a reasonable schedule of penalty fees to be assessed against growers in a designated pest management zone who do not meet the requirements of the rules issued by the commissioner relating to reporting of acreage and participation in cost sharing.  A penalty fee may not exceed $50 per acre.
Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 506 (S.B. 1016), Sec. 10.01, eff. September 1, 2009.
Amended by: 
Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 29 (S.B. 1749), Sec. 10, eff. September 1, 2015.