Texas 2009 - 81st Regular

Texas Senate Bill SB2089 Compare Versions

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11 By: Whitmire S.B. No. 2089
22 (In the Senate - Filed March 13, 2009; March 31, 2009, read
33 first time and referred to Committee on Natural Resources;
44 April 30, 2009, reported adversely, with favorable Committee
55 Substitute by the following vote: Yeas 10, Nays 0; April 30, 2009,
66 sent to printer.)
77 COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR S.B. No. 2089 By: Seliger
88
99
1010 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
1111 AN ACT
1212 relating to protections provided by the Department of Agriculture
1313 for certain consumers; providing penalties.
1414 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
1515 SECTION 1. Subsection (a), Section 13.001, Agriculture
1616 Code, is amended to read as follows:
1717 (a) In this chapter:
1818 (1) "Weight or measure of a commodity" means the
1919 weight or measure of a commodity as determined by a weighing or
2020 measuring device [includes a weight, scale, beam, or measure of any
2121 kind; an instrument or mechanical device for weighing or measuring;
2222 and an appliance or accessory connected with an instrument or
2323 mechanical device for weighing or measuring].
2424 (2) "Sell" includes barter or exchange.
2525 (3) "Weighing or measuring device" ["Pump"] means:
2626 (A) a scale; or
2727 (B) a mechanical or electronic device used to
2828 dispense or deliver a commodity by weight, volume, flow rate, or
2929 other measure [a gasoline, kerosene, or diesel fuel measuring or
3030 dispensing device].
3131 SECTION 2. Subsection (a), Section 13.002, Agriculture
3232 Code, is amended to read as follows:
3333 (a) The department shall enforce the provisions of this
3434 chapter and shall supervise all weighing or measuring devices
3535 [weights and measures] sold or offered for sale in this state. The
3636 department may purchase apparatus as necessary for the
3737 administration of this chapter.
3838 SECTION 3. Subsections (a), (c), and (d), Section 13.021,
3939 Agriculture Code, are amended to read as follows:
4040 (a) The legal standard for the weight or measure of a
4141 commodity [of weights and measures] in this state is the standard
4242 weight or measure [of weights and measures] adopted and used by the
4343 government of the United States for that commodity. If the United
4444 States does not provide a standard [of] weight or measure for a
4545 commodity, the standard for that commodity is that established by
4646 this subchapter.
4747 (c) Except as otherwise provided by an express contract, a
4848 contract for work or sales by weight or measure of a commodity shall
4949 be construed in accordance with the standards of this subchapter.
5050 (d) The standards of this subchapter shall be the guide for
5151 making any adjustment of weighing [weights] or measuring devices
5252 [measures] under the law of this state.
5353 SECTION 4. Subchapter B, Chapter 13, Agriculture Code, is
5454 amended by adding Section 13.029 to read as follows:
5555 Sec. 13.029. EXEMPTION OF WEIGHING OR MEASURING DEVICES.
5656 The department by rule may exempt a weighing or measuring device
5757 from a requirement established by this chapter if the department
5858 determines that imposing or enforcing the requirement:
5959 (1) is not cost-effective for the department;
6060 (2) is not feasible with current resources or
6161 standards; or
6262 (3) will not substantially benefit or protect
6363 consumers.
6464 SECTION 5. Sections 13.036, 13.037, and 13.039, Agriculture
6565 Code, are amended to read as follows:
6666 Sec. 13.036. FALSE REPRESENTATION OF COMMODITY QUANTITY. A
6767 person commits an offense if the person or the person's servant or
6868 agent:
6969 (1) sells or offers or exposes for sale a quantity of a
7070 commodity or service that is less than the quantity the person
7171 represents; or
7272 (2) as a buyer furnishing the weight or measure of a
7373 commodity or service by which the amount of the [a] commodity or
7474 service is determined, takes or attempts to take more than the
7575 quantity the person represents.
7676 Sec. 13.037. USE OF INCORRECT WEIGHING [FALSE WEIGHT] OR
7777 MEASURING DEVICE [MEASURE]. (a) A person commits an offense if
7878 the person or the person's servant or agent uses an incorrect
7979 weighing [a false weight] or measuring device [measure] in:
8080 (1) buying or selling a commodity;
8181 (2) computing a charge for services rendered on the
8282 basis of weight or measure; or
8383 (3) determining the weight or measure of a commodity,
8484 if a charge is made for the determination.
8585 (b) For the purpose of this section, a weighing [weight] or
8686 measuring device [measure] is incorrect [false] if it:
8787 (1) does not conform as closely as practicable to the
8888 official standards;
8989 (2) is not accurate;
9090 (3) is of a construction that is not reasonably
9191 permanent in adjustment or does not correctly repeat its
9292 indications;
9393 (4) facilitates the perpetration of fraud; or
9494 (5) does not conform to the specifications and
9595 tolerances established by the department under Section 13.114 [of
9696 this code].
9797 Sec. 13.039. TESTING OF PACKAGE BY DEPARTMENT [SEALER].
9898 (a) The department [A sealer appointed under Subchapter C of this
9999 chapter] shall from time to time weigh or measure a package[,] or an
100100 amount of any commodity[,] that is kept or offered for sale, sold,
101101 or in the process of delivery, in order to determine:
102102 (1) if the commodity is of the amount or quantity
103103 represented; or
104104 (2) if the commodity is being offered for sale or sold
105105 in accordance with law.
106106 (b) If the department [a sealer] finds that a package or any
107107 lot of a commodity contains less of the commodity than the amount
108108 represented, the department [sealer] may seize the package or the
109109 commodity as evidence.
110110 (c) A person commits an offense if the person or the
111111 person's employee or agent refuses to exhibit a commodity being
112112 sold or offered for sale at a given weight or quantity, or
113113 ordinarily sold in that manner, to the department [a sealer] for
114114 testing and proving as to quantity.
115115 SECTION 6. The heading to Subchapter C, Chapter 13,
116116 Agriculture Code, is amended to read as follows:
117117 SUBCHAPTER C. INSPECTION AND REGISTRATION OF WEIGHING OR MEASURING
118118 DEVICES [WEIGHTS AND MEASURES]
119119 SECTION 7. Section 13.101, Agriculture Code, is amended to
120120 read as follows:
121121 Sec. 13.101. REQUIRED INSPECTION. (a) At least once every
122122 four years, or more often as required by the department, a weighing
123123 [weight] or measuring device [measure] shall be inspected and
124124 tested for correctness by the department [a sealer] if it:
125125 (1) is kept for sale, sold, or used by a proprietor,
126126 agent, lessee, or employee in proving the weight or measure,
127127 including the size, quantity, extent, or area, of any item; or
128128 (2) is purchased, offered, or submitted by a
129129 proprietor, agent, lessee, or employee for sale, hire, or award.
130130 (b) The department shall, to the extent necessary to ensure
131131 compliance with the official standards, require additional
132132 inspection and testing of weighing or measuring devices [weights
133133 and measures].
134134 (c) A person who uses or keeps for use, or has or offers for
135135 sale, a weighing [weight] or measuring device [measure] is
136136 responsible for having the device [weight or measure] inspected and
137137 tested as required by this section.
138138 (d) Unless the department requires an additional
139139 inspection, a weighing [weight] or measuring device [measure] that
140140 is inspected and found correct by the department [a sealer] may be
141141 kept for use, used, kept or offered for sale, or sold without
142142 further testing.
143143 (e) The department may inspect and test a weighing or
144144 measuring device less frequently than required by Subsection (a):
145145 (1) to accommodate complaint-based and risk-based
146146 inspection schedules; or
147147 (2) in response to an emergency or a limitation in
148148 department funding.
149149 SECTION 8. Subsections (a) and (c), Section 13.1011,
150150 Agriculture Code, are amended to read as follows:
151151 (a) A person who operates a weighing or measuring [pump,
152152 scale, or bulk or liquefied petroleum gas metering] device for a
153153 commercial transaction shall [must] register annually with the
154154 department.
155155 (c) If a person fails to register as required by this
156156 section and pay the fee required under Section 13.1151 [of this
157157 code], the department may assess a late fee against the person,
158158 prohibit the operation of the weighing or measuring [pump, scale,
159159 or metering] device, or both assess the fee and prohibit the
160160 operation of the [pump, scale, or metering] device.
161161 SECTION 9. Subsection (e), Section 13.1012, Agriculture
162162 Code, is amended to read as follows:
163163 (e) The department may conduct an inspection of an
164164 applicant's or registrant's:
165165 (1) facilities;
166166 (2) inspecting and testing equipment and procedures;
167167 (3) repair and calibration equipment, records, and
168168 procedures; and
169169 (4) transportation equipment.
170170 SECTION 10. The heading to Section 13.111, Agriculture
171171 Code, is amended to read as follows:
172172 Sec. 13.111. REPAIR OR DESTRUCTION OF INCORRECT WEIGHING
173173 [WEIGHTS] OR MEASURING DEVICES [MEASURES].
174174 SECTION 11. Subsections (a) and (b), Section 13.111,
175175 Agriculture Code, are amended to read as follows:
176176 (a) If, in the judgment of the department [sealer], a
177177 weighing [weight] or measuring device [measure] found to be
178178 incorrect is not capable of being repaired, the department [sealer]
179179 may condemn, seize, and destroy the device [weight or measure].
180180 (b) If, in the judgment of the department [sealer], an
181181 incorrect weighing [weight] or measuring device [measure] is
182182 capable of being repaired, the department [sealer] shall place on
183183 the device [weight or measure] a tag or other mark with the words
184184 "Out of Order." The owner or user of the weighing [weight] or
185185 measuring device [measure] may have it repaired within 30 days, but
186186 may not use or dispose of it until it is reinspected and released
187187 for use by the department or inspected and released for use in any
188188 other manner authorized by department rule [sealed. After repair,
189189 the owner or user shall notify the sealer and the sealer shall
190190 reinspect the weight or measure. If it is found to be correct, the
191191 sealer shall remove the out-of-order tag and seal the weight or
192192 measure as provided by Section 13.110 of this code].
193193 SECTION 12. Section 13.112, Agriculture Code, is amended to
194194 read as follows:
195195 Sec. 13.112. TESTS FOR STATE INSTITUTIONS. As requested by
196196 the comptroller or the governing body of a state institution, the
197197 department shall test each weighing [weight] or measuring device
198198 [measure] used by a state institution for any purpose, including a
199199 weighing or measuring device [weight or measure] used in checking
200200 the receipt and distribution of supplies. The department shall
201201 report results of the test to the chairman of the governing body of
202202 the institution.
203203 SECTION 13. Subsections (a), (c), (d), and (e), Section
204204 13.113, Agriculture Code, are amended to read as follows:
205205 (a) The standards of weights and measures received from the
206206 United States and certified by the National Institute of Standards
207207 and Technology are the state's standards by which all state and
208208 local standards of weights and measures are tried, authenticated,
209209 proved, and certified [sealed].
210210 (c) In addition to the standards kept by the state, the
211211 department shall maintain a complete set of copies of the original
212212 standards for use in adjusting local standards or in the
213213 performance of other official duties. The department may purchase
214214 additional sets of standards as necessary for use by a department
215215 inspector or other department personnel [state sealers].
216216 (d) At the request of a city, the department shall furnish
217217 the city with copies of the state's standards or test and approve
218218 other standards acquired by the city. The city shall reimburse the
219219 state for the actual cost of the standards furnished, plus the costs
220220 of freight and certification. All standards furnished to or tested
221221 for a city shall be true and correct, [sealed and] certified by the
222222 department [commissioner], and stamped with the letter "C". The
223223 copies used by a city may be of any suitable material or
224224 construction that the city requests, subject to approval by the
225225 department.
226226 (e) The department shall inspect and correct the standards
227227 used by a department inspector, other department employee, or
228228 individual or business licensed by the department to perform
229229 private maintenance, repairs, or calibration of weighing or
230230 measuring devices [a local sealer] at least once every year [two
231231 years]. The department shall keep a record of the inspection and
232232 character of weights and measures inspected under this subsection.
233233 [The city shall pay all expenses incurred in inspections under this
234234 subsection.]
235235 SECTION 14. Subsection (a), Section 13.114, Agriculture
236236 Code, is amended to read as follows:
237237 (a) The department shall establish tolerances and
238238 specifications for commercial weighing or [and] measuring devices
239239 [apparatus] used in this state. The tolerances and specifications
240240 shall be similar to those recommended by the National Institute of
241241 Standards and Technology.
242242 SECTION 15. Subsections (a) and (f), Section 13.115,
243243 Agriculture Code, are amended to read as follows:
244244 (a) The department shall collect a fee in accordance with
245245 this section for each test of a weighing [weight] or measuring
246246 device [measure] required by this subchapter or performed on
247247 request of the owner.
248248 (f) The department shall charge a fee, as provided by
249249 department rule, for precision testing of tapes, rules, glassware,
250250 and other weighing or measuring devices performed by the
251251 department's metrology laboratory.
252252 SECTION 16. Sections 13.1151, 13.117, 13.118, and 13.119,
253253 Agriculture Code, are amended to read as follows:
254254 Sec. 13.1151. FEES FOR REGISTRATION AND INSPECTION. The
255255 department may charge the owner or operator of a weighing or
256256 measuring device a fee, as provided by department rule, to recover
257257 the costs of registration and inspection of a weighing or [pump,
258258 scale, bulk or liquefied petroleum gas metering device, or other]
259259 measuring [or dispensing] device required to be registered or
260260 inspected under this chapter.
261261 Sec. 13.117. REFUSING TO ALLOW [PERMIT] TEST OF WEIGHING
262262 [WEIGHT] OR MEASURING DEVICE [MEASURE]. A person commits an
263263 offense if the person neglects or refuses to allow [exhibit] a
264264 weighing [weight] or measuring device [measure] under the person's
265265 control or in the person's possession to be inspected, tested, or
266266 examined by the department and the inspection, test, or examination
267267 is required by this chapter [or a sealer for inspection or
268268 examination as required by law].
269269 Sec. 13.118. HINDERING DEPARTMENT PERSONNEL [SEALER]. A
270270 person commits an offense if the person hinders or obstructs in any
271271 way the department, a department inspector or other department
272272 personnel [a sealer] in the performance of official duties.
273273 Sec. 13.119. REMOVAL OF REGISTRATION [SEALER'S] TAG. A
274274 person commits an offense if the person removes or obliterates a tag
275275 or device placed on a weighing [weight] or measuring device
276276 [measure] under this chapter [Section 13.110 or 13.111 of this
277277 code].
278278 SECTION 17. Sections 13.120 and 13.121, Agriculture Code,
279279 are amended to read as follows:
280280 Sec. 13.120. SALE OR USE OF INCORRECT WEIGHING [FALSE
281281 WEIGHTS] OR MEASURING DEVICE [MEASURES]. (a) The department may
282282 condemn and prohibit the sale or distribution of any incorrect
283283 weighing [false weight] or measuring device [measure] that is sold,
284284 offered for sale, or about to be sold in this state.
285285 (b) A person commits an offense if the person or the
286286 person's servant or agent:
287287 (1) offers or exposes for sale, hire, or award or sells
288288 an incorrect weighing [a false weight] or measuring device
289289 [measure];
290290 (2) possesses an incorrect weighing [a false weight]
291291 or measuring device [measure]; or
292292 (3) sells, offers for sale, uses, or possesses for the
293293 purpose of sale or use a device or instrument to be used to falsify
294294 or intended to falsify a weight or measure.
295295 [(c) In this section, "false weight or measure" has the
296296 meaning assigned by Section 13.037 of this code.]
297297 Sec. 13.121. DISPOSING OF CONDEMNED WEIGHING OR MEASURING
298298 DEVICE [WEIGHT]. A person commits an offense if the person or the
299299 person's servant or agent disposes of a weighing [weight] or
300300 measuring device [measure] condemned under Section 13.111 or 13.120
301301 [of this code] in a manner contrary to those sections.
302302 SECTION 18. Subsection (b), Section 13.253, Agriculture
303303 Code, is amended to read as follows:
304304 (b) An elected county public weigher must obtain a
305305 certificate of authority as provided by Section 13.255 [of this
306306 code] and must execute a bond as provided by Section 13.256 [of this
307307 code] before issuing an official certificate of weight or measure
308308 of a commodity. A county public weigher elected under this section
309309 is subject to rules adopted by the commissioners court.
310310 SECTION 19. Subsection (a), Section 13.257, Agriculture
311311 Code, is amended to read as follows:
312312 (a) On each certificate of weight or measure of a commodity
313313 that a public weigher or deputy public weigher issues, the public
314314 weigher or deputy public weigher shall include the:
315315 (1) time and date that the weight or measure of the
316316 commodity [measurement] was taken;
317317 (2) signature and license number of the public weigher
318318 or deputy public weigher; and
319319 (3) seal of the department.
320320 SECTION 20. Subsection (a), Section 13.259, Agriculture
321321 Code, is amended to read as follows:
322322 (a) A public weigher or deputy public weigher who
323323 intentionally or knowingly issues a certificate of weight or
324324 measure of a commodity giving a false weight or measure for the [a]
325325 commodity [weighed or measured] commits an offense.
326326 SECTION 21. Subsection (a), Section 13.260, Agriculture
327327 Code, is amended to read as follows:
328328 (a) A person who intentionally or knowingly issues an
329329 official certificate of weight or measure of a [for any] commodity
330330 without first obtaining a certificate of authority under Section
331331 13.255 [of this code], who issues an official certificate of weight
332332 or measure of a commodity after revocation of the person's
333333 certificate of authority, or who issues an official certificate of
334334 weight or measure of a commodity without executing a bond as
335335 required under Section 13.256 [of this code] commits an offense.
336336 SECTION 22. Subsections (a), (b), (d), and (f), Section
337337 13.401, Agriculture Code, are amended to read as follows:
338338 (a) A person who has a license issued under this subchapter
339339 may [has all of the powers and duties of a sealer under this chapter
340340 except for]:
341341 (1) inspect, test, maintain, and repair:
342342 (A) a weighing or measuring device;
343343 (B) a liquefied petroleum gas meter under
344344 Subchapter F; or
345345 (C) a ranch scale under Subchapter G;
346346 (2) return an incorrect weighing or measuring device
347347 to service under Section 13.111;
348348 (3) prohibit an incorrect weighing or measuring device
349349 from being used until the device is repaired, if the inspector
350350 determines that the device can be repaired; and
351351 (4) condemn and prohibit the further use of an
352352 incorrect weighing or measuring device that the inspector
353353 determines cannot be repaired [testing of a package under Section
354354 13.039;
355355 [(2) peace officer status under Section 13.108(b); and
356356 [(3) entering premises or conducting a stop under
357357 Section 13.108(c)].
358358 (b) It is a defense to prosecution under Section 13.117 or
359359 13.118 that the licensed inspector [sealer] is acting under the
360360 authority of a license issued under this subchapter.
361361 (d) Unless appointed an inspector [a sealer] under
362362 Subchapter C, a person may not perform the functions of an inspector
363363 [a sealer] without a license issued under this subchapter.
364364 (f) A license holder under this subchapter shall conduct
365365 inspecting, [or] testing, prohibiting, or condemning activities in
366366 compliance with the rules of the department.
367367 SECTION 23. Subsection (a), Section 13.404, Agriculture
368368 Code, is amended to read as follows:
369369 (a) The department [by rule] may [adopt a system to]
370370 periodically monitor and inspect or test weighing or measuring
371371 devices that have been [scales] inspected and tested by a license
372372 holder and any standards used by the license holder during an
373373 inspection or test.
374374 SECTION 24. Chapter 17, Agriculture Code, is amended by
375375 adding Subchapter B-1 to read as follows:
376376 SUBCHAPTER B-1. MOTOR FUEL QUALITY AND TESTING
377377 Sec. 17.071. MINIMUM MOTOR FUEL QUALITY AND TESTING
378378 STANDARDS. The department by rule shall adopt minimum motor fuel
379379 quality and testing standards for motor fuel that is sold or offered
380380 for sale in this state. The standards must comply with the
381381 nationally recognized minimum standards established by:
382382 (1) the American Society for Testing and Materials, as
383383 those standards existed on September 1, 2009, for motor fuels other
384384 than motor fuels blended with ethanol; and
385385 (2) the National Institute of Standards and
386386 Technology, as those standards existed on September 1, 2009, for
387387 motor fuels blended with ethanol.
388388 Sec. 17.072. TESTING OF MOTOR FUEL QUALITY. (a) The
389389 department may collect samples and conduct testing at any location
390390 where motor fuel is kept, transferred, sold, or offered for sale, to
391391 verify that the motor fuel complies with the minimum standards
392392 required by Section 17.071.
393393 (b) On arriving at a facility to conduct testing under
394394 Subsection (a), a representative of the department shall notify the
395395 owner or manager of the facility of the representative's presence
396396 and purpose.
397397 (c) A person commits an offense if the person refuses to
398398 allow a department representative to collect samples or conduct
399399 motor fuel testing under Subsection (a).
400400 Sec. 17.073. STOP-SALE ORDER. If the department has reason
401401 to believe that motor fuel is in violation of this chapter or a rule
402402 adopted under this chapter, the department may issue and enforce a
403403 written order to stop the sale of the motor fuel. The department
404404 shall present the order to the dealer, distributor, jobber,
405405 supplier, or wholesaler who is in control of the motor fuel at the
406406 time the motor fuel is tested. The person who receives the order
407407 may not sell the motor fuel until the department determines that the
408408 motor fuel is in compliance with this chapter and department rules.
409409 SECTION 25. Subsections (a) and (b), Section 17.104,
410410 Agriculture Code, are amended to read as follows:
411411 (a) The commissioner may adopt rules consistent with this
412412 chapter for the regulation of the sale of motor fuels, including
413413 motor fuels that contain [containing] ethanol and methanol.
414414 (b) The commissioner by rule may impose a fee for testing,
415415 inspection, or the performance of other services provided as
416416 determined necessary by the commissioner in the administration of
417417 this chapter. A fee imposed under this subsection shall be
418418 collected from each dealer, distributor, jobber, supplier, and
419419 wholesaler on a periodic basis determined by the commissioner
420420 without regard to whether the motor fuel is subject to regulation
421421 under this chapter.
422422 SECTION 26. Subsections (a) and (b), Section 17.155,
423423 Agriculture Code, are amended to read as follows:
424424 (a) The department [commissioner] may impose an
425425 administrative penalty against a person regulated under this
426426 chapter who violates this chapter or a rule or order adopted under
427427 this chapter. Except as otherwise provided by this section, an
428428 administrative penalty is imposed and collected in the manner
429429 provided by Section 12.020.
430430 (b) The penalty for a violation of this chapter or a rule or
431431 order adopted under this chapter may not exceed $5,000 [$500] a day
432432 for each violation. Each day a violation continues or occurs may be
433433 considered a separate violation for purposes of imposing a penalty.
434434 SECTION 27. Subchapter D, Chapter 17, Agriculture Code, is
435435 amended by adding Section 17.156 to read as follows:
436436 Sec. 17.156. TOLL-FREE NUMBER. The department shall
437437 provide a toll-free telephone number for use by the public in
438438 reporting violations of this subchapter.
439439 SECTION 28. The following provisions of the Agriculture
440440 Code are repealed:
441441 (1) Section 13.004;
442442 (2) Section 13.102;
443443 (3) Section 13.104;
444444 (4) Section 13.108;
445445 (5) Section 13.109;
446446 (6) Section 13.110;
447447 (7) Subsections (c) and (d), Section 13.111; and
448448 (8) Section 13.116.
449449 SECTION 29. This Act takes effect September 1, 2009.
450450 * * * * *