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 holding and administering the funds, which can only be used for screwworm-related efforts and associated administrative expenses. The total balance of the trust fund is capped at $50 million, and the comptroller may create accounts within the fund for specific purposes.

Additionally, the comptroller is authorized to distribute money from the trust fund to support various programs, research, surveillance, and emergency response activities related to screwworm abatement, which may involve collaboration with public agencies, institutions of higher education, and other governmental entities. The bill outlines the need for coordination with local, state, federal, and interstate agencies to ensure effective use of the fund's resources. The act will take effect immediately upon receiving a two-thirds vote from both houses of the legislature or on September 1, 2025, if such a vote is not achieved.

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