BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center H.B. 205 By: Aycock (Estes) Agriculture & Rural Affairs 4/29/2009 Engrossed AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT Currently, many municipalities across Texas have some variation of a "leash law" to control dogs. Such ordinances require dogs to wear restraining devices when in the city limits. The majority of the ordinances do not account for dogs that are used for agricultural purposes, such as protection of a property owner's livestock. Dogs are a necessity for some livestock owners and in order for a dog to be of use to the livestock owner, the dog cannot be restrained at all times. H.B. 205 amends current law relating to the applicability of certain city requirements affecting the restraint of certain dogs on annexed or otherwise acquired property used for agricultural operations. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Section 251.005, Agriculture Code, by adding Subsection (c-2), to provide that a governmental requirement of a city relating to the restraint of a dog that would apply to an agricultural operation under Subsection (c) (relating to the necessity to protect persons who reside in the immediate vicinity of the agricultural operation) does not apply to a dog used to protect livestock on property controlled by a property owner while the dog is being used on such property for that purpose. SECTION 2. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2009.
BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center H.B. 205
By: Aycock (Estes)
Agriculture & Rural Affairs
4/29/2009
Engrossed
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
Currently, many municipalities across Texas have some variation of a "leash law" to control dogs. Such ordinances require dogs to wear restraining devices when in the city limits. The majority of the ordinances do not account for dogs that are used for agricultural purposes, such as protection of a property owner's livestock.
Dogs are a necessity for some livestock owners and in order for a dog to be of use to the livestock owner, the dog cannot be restrained at all times.
H.B. 205 amends current law relating to the applicability of certain city requirements affecting the restraint of certain dogs on annexed or otherwise acquired property used for agricultural operations.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Section 251.005, Agriculture Code, by adding Subsection (c-2), to provide that a governmental requirement of a city relating to the restraint of a dog that would apply to an agricultural operation under Subsection (c) (relating to the necessity to protect persons who reside in the immediate vicinity of the agricultural operation) does not apply to a dog used to protect livestock on property controlled by a property owner while the dog is being used on such property for that purpose.
SECTION 2. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2009.