House Bill No. 1277 proposes the addition of Subchapter Z to Chapter 71 of the Agriculture Code, which focuses on the study of plant disease and pest outbreaks by the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service. The bill mandates that the extension service conduct an annual study of each plant disease or pest outbreak in Texas, detailing the duration of the outbreak, resolution methods, and any other relevant information. Furthermore, the extension service is required to publish a report on its website by January 1 each year, summarizing the findings from the previous year's study.

Additionally, by January 1, 2028, the extension service must compile and publish a comprehensive report that summarizes all annual reports and includes policy recommendations to address plant disease and pest outbreaks. This report is to be provided to key state officials, including the governor and the speaker of the house of representatives. The provisions of this section will expire on January 31, 2028. The bill is set to take effect immediately upon receiving a two-thirds vote from both houses or on September 1, 2025, if such a vote is not achieved.

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