Urging the federal government to take immediate action to curb the spread of the New World screwworm in Texas.
Summary
HCR 13 is a Texas House Concurrent Resolution urging the federal government to respond quickly to the threat posed by the New World screwworm, a parasitic fly that can infest livestock, wildlife, pets, and humans. The resolution describes the pest as a serious danger to animal health, the food supply chain, and the state economy, citing the risk of major losses to Texas ranchers and broader agricultural markets if the pest spreads into the state.
The resolution calls on federal agencies and Congress to take several specific actions: work with Mexico to strengthen containment efforts, speed construction of a planned screwworm control facility at Moore Air Force Base, reserve research space in that facility for Texas A&M AgriLife, and accelerate federal approval of medications and pesticides used to prevent or treat screwworm infection. It also directs the Texas secretary of state to transmit copies of the resolution to federal leaders and Texas’s congressional delegation for inclusion in the Congressional Record.
Impact
HCR 13 does not change Texas statutory law or create new state regulatory authority. Instead, it is a formal legislative memorial and policy statement asking federal officials to act on pest control, research infrastructure, and product approvals related to screwworm prevention and treatment. Its practical effect is to place the Texas Legislature on record supporting federal intervention and coordination on an agricultural biosecurity issue affecting livestock producers and related industries.
Sentiment
The overall sentiment around the resolution appears strongly supportive and urgent. The bill passed the House overwhelmingly, 131-0 with one present not voting, indicating broad bipartisan agreement on the need to address the screwworm threat. The Senate also adopted it, though with a narrower vote reflected in the context, suggesting some limited disagreement or at least less unanimity in the upper chamber, but still enough support for final passage and gubernatorial approval.
Contention
There is little evidence of substantive opposition to the resolution’s core goal of protecting Texas agriculture from screwworm. Any contention appears to be less about whether the threat is real and more about the appropriate federal response, including the pace of construction at Moore Air Force Base, the role of USDA coordination with Mexico, and how quickly FDA and EPA approvals should be issued for treatments and pesticides. Because the measure is a nonbinding request to federal authorities, debate likely centered on urgency, federal responsibility, and implementation rather than on state policy changes.