H.B. No. 272 proposes the establishment of the Screwworm Abatement Trust (SWAT) Fund, which will be created as a trust fund outside the state treasury, with the comptroller serving as the trustee. The fund is intended to support activities related to the prevention, control, and eradication of the New World Screwworm. It will consist of money that is gifted, granted, donated, or appropriated, along with any interest or earnings from the fund. The comptroller is responsible for managing the fund, which is restricted to a maximum balance of $50 million, and may create accounts within the fund for specific screwworm-related purposes.

The bill also grants the comptroller the authority to distribute funds to support various programs, research, surveillance, and emergency response activities related to screwworm abatement, which can be carried out by public agencies, institutions of higher education, or other governmental entities. Additionally, the comptroller is encouraged to coordinate with local, state, federal, and interstate agencies to ensure effective use of the trust fund resources. The act will 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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