81R3848 YDB-F By: Averitt S.B. No. 523 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT relating to the practice of veterinarians in certain mercantile establishments. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Section 801.356(a), Occupations Code, is amended to read as follows: (a) Section 801.355(c) does not apply to the practice of a veterinarian, or the legal successor of the practice, if the practice is operating in space that was open and operating before December 31, 2009 [January 1, 1993]. SECTION 2. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2009.