HB 253

89S20197 AND-F
		By: Kitzman
  H.B. No. 253
  A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
  AN ACT
  relating to the establishment of the Institute for Animal Health
  Research and Response at Texas A&M University.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 61.003(6), Education Code, is amended to
  read as follows:
               (6)  "Other agency of higher education" means The
  University of Texas System, System Administration; The University
  of Texas at El Paso Museum; Texas Epidemic Public Health Institute
  at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston; The
  Texas A&M University System, Administrative and General Offices;
  Texas A&M AgriLife Research; Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service;
  Rodent and Predatory Animal Control Service (a part of the Texas A&M
  AgriLife Extension Service); Institute for Animal Health Research
  and Response at Texas A&M University; Texas A&M Engineering
  Experiment Station (including the Texas A&M Transportation
  Institute); Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service; Texas A&M
  Forest Service; Texas Division of Emergency Management; Texas Tech
  University Museum; Texas State University System, System
  Administration; Sam Houston Memorial Museum; Panhandle-Plains
  Historical Museum; Cotton Research Committee of Texas; Texas Water
  Resources Institute; Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic
  Laboratory; and any other unit, division, institution, or agency
  which shall be so designated by statute or which may be established
  to operate as a component part of any public senior college or
  university, or which may be so classified as provided in this
  chapter.
         SECTION 2.  Subchapter E, Chapter 86, Education Code, is
  amended by adding Section 86.83 to read as follows:
         Sec. 86.83.  INSTITUTE FOR ANIMAL HEALTH RESEARCH AND
  RESPONSE.  (a)  In this section:
               (1)  "Board" means the board of regents of The Texas A&M
  University System.
               (2)  "Institute" means the Institute for Animal Health
  Research and Response.
         (b)  The board shall establish and maintain the Institute for
  Animal Health Research and Response as a component of Texas A&M
  University.
         (c)  The institute is under the management and direction of
  the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service.
         (d)  The institute shall, in collaboration with the Parks and
  Wildlife Department and the Texas Animal Health Commission:
               (1)  study the progression of animal diseases and
  parasitic insects;
               (2)  analyze the genetic profiles of animals infected
  with diseases or parasitic insects;
               (3)  develop:
                     (A)  strategies to prevent animal diseases and
  parasitic insect infestations;
                     (B)  efforts to mitigate transmission of animal
  diseases and parasitic insect infestations; and
                     (C)  treatments for animal diseases and parasitic
  insect infestations; and
               (4)  evaluate the implementation of strategies,
  mitigation efforts, and treatments developed under Subdivision
  (3).
         (e)  The institute may conduct an activity described by
  Subsection (d) at a location:
               (1)  in which an animal infected with an animal disease
  or parasitic insect infestation has been found;
               (2)  operated by the Parks and Wildlife Department;
               (3)  operated by the Texas Animal Health Commission; or
               (4)  operated by the institute.
         (f)  The institute may employ personnel.
         (g)  The institute may make plans and enter into contracts
  for the construction and use of necessary facilities.
         (h)  The institute may accept gifts, grants, and donations
  from any source for the purposes of the institute.
         (i)  The institute may prioritize the study, analysis, and
  development of strategies, mitigation efforts, and treatments for
  animal diseases or parasitic insect infestations as the institute
  deems necessary.
         (j)  The board is required to implement a provision of this
  section only if the legislature appropriates money specifically for
  that purpose.  If the legislature does not appropriate money
  specifically for that purpose, the board may, but is not required
  to, implement the provision using other money available to the
  board for that purpose.
         SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect on the 91st day after the
  last day of the legislative session.