BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center H.B. 693 81R2601 JAM-D By: Truitt (Hegar) Agriculture & Rural Affairs 4/27/2009 Engrossed AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT Current law requires falconers practicing in Texas to obtain a structural pest control license from the Structural Pest Control Board. A structural pest control license applicant is required to complete an apprenticeship under a licensed commercial pesticide applicator as well as 28 hours of classroom training and 40 hours of on-the-job training in pesticide application, mixing, spill cleanup, and insect inspection before receiving a license. These tasks are related primarily to the control of insect pests rather than the unattended bird roosts controlled by falconers. Falconers are already required to maintain a federal and state falconry permit for which the applicant is required to pass a licensing exam, build aviary facilities that are regularly inspected by a game warden, and complete a two-year apprenticeship under the sponsorship of a general master class falconer. H.B. 693 exempts a person engaged in falconry from structural pest control licensing requirements to prevent unnecessary licensing procedures for falconers. 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 Subchapter B, Chapter 1951, Occupations Code, by adding Section 1951.057, as follows: Sec. 1951.057. FALCONERS. (a) Provides that this chapter does not apply to a person engaged in falconry, as defined by Section 49.001 (Definitions), Parks and Wildlife Code, who is the holder of a falconer's permit as provided by Chapter 49 (Falconry Permit), Parks and Wildlife Code, and uses a raptor to control or relocate other birds. (b) Provides that a person described by Subsection (a) is not considered to be engaged in the business of structural pest control. SECTION 2. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2009.
BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center H.B. 693
81R2601 JAM-D By: Truitt (Hegar)
Agriculture & Rural Affairs
4/27/2009
Engrossed
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
Current law requires falconers practicing in Texas to obtain a structural pest control license from the Structural Pest Control Board. A structural pest control license applicant is required to complete an apprenticeship under a licensed commercial pesticide applicator as well as 28 hours of classroom training and 40 hours of on-the-job training in pesticide application, mixing, spill cleanup, and insect inspection before receiving a license. These tasks are related primarily to the control of insect pests rather than the unattended bird roosts controlled by falconers. Falconers are already required to maintain a federal and state falconry permit for which the applicant is required to pass a licensing exam, build aviary facilities that are regularly inspected by a game warden, and complete a two-year apprenticeship under the sponsorship of a general master class falconer.
H.B. 693 exempts a person engaged in falconry from structural pest control licensing requirements to prevent unnecessary licensing procedures for falconers.
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 Subchapter B, Chapter 1951, Occupations Code, by adding Section 1951.057, as follows:
Sec. 1951.057. FALCONERS. (a) Provides that this chapter does not apply to a person engaged in falconry, as defined by Section 49.001 (Definitions), Parks and Wildlife Code, who is the holder of a falconer's permit as provided by Chapter 49 (Falconry Permit), Parks and Wildlife Code, and uses a raptor to control or relocate other birds.
(b) Provides that a person described by Subsection (a) is not considered to be engaged in the business of structural pest control.
SECTION 2. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2009.