Texas H.B. 2089 has been signed by Governor Greg Abbott and will be enacted beginning Sept. 1, 2021. The bill provides up to $500,000 in funding over the next Texas biennium for early detection of foreign plant pests and diseases, including but not limited to Race 4 Fusarium wilt (FOV4) which is currently present in the El Paso region. With this legislation now established, an early plant pest and disease detection and mitigation system through cooperative agreements with the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) and institutions of higher education will address a full range of activities, including field inspections for early ...