González Food System Bill Adds A Division That Recommends New Laws

The text as introduced · 472 words

89R914 MP-D

By: González of Dallas
H.B. No. 1203

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the establishment of the office of food system security

and resiliency in the Department of Agriculture and the management

of the Texas food system security and resiliency planning council.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Chapter 12, Agriculture Code, is amended by

adding Section 12.052 to read as follows:

Sec. 12.052. OFFICE OF FOOD SYSTEM SECURITY AND RESILIENCY.

(a) In this section, "office" means the office of food system

security and resiliency established by this section.

(b) The office of food system security and resiliency is

established as a division within the department.

(c) The office is responsible for food system security and

resiliency in this state, including:

(1) coordinating state resources and programs so food

access industry professionals can efficiently use resources to meet

the needs of this state;

(2) ensuring a food system in this state that is free

of disruption;

(3) promoting the growth, manufacture, and processing

of agricultural products in this state for farm-to-store and

farm-to-table consumption;

(4) developing regional food system security and

resiliency planning by working with other state agencies, counties,

municipalities, school districts, and local governments; and

(5) promoting policies to establish more localized

food markets or food access points through measures such as:

(A) connecting retailers, distributors,

municipalities, counties, school districts, and other local

governments to local producers; and

(B) collaborating with local stakeholders to

expand food access across this state.

(d) The office shall, not later than December 1 of each

even-numbered year, make recommendations to the legislature for

legislation that may improve food system security and resiliency in

this state.

(e) The office shall manage the Texas food system security

and resiliency planning council under Chapter 23.

SECTION 2. Section 23.001(2), Agriculture Code, is amended

to read as follows:

(2) "Office" means[ :

[ (A) ] the office of food system security and

resiliency under Section 12.052 [ if that office is established as a

division within the department by an Act of the 88th Legislature,

Regular Session, 2023; or

[ (B) the food and nutrition division of the

department if the office of food system security and resiliency is

not established as a division within the department by an Act of the

88th Legislature, Regular Session, 2023 ].

SECTION 3. (a) Not later than December 31, 2025, the

Department of Agriculture shall establish the office of food system

security and resiliency under Section 12.052, Agriculture Code, as

added by this Act.

(b) The food and nutrition division of the Department of

Agriculture shall continue to manage the Texas food system security

and resiliency planning council until the department establishes

the office of food system security and resiliency.

SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.