Texas House Bill HB1991

Texas 2011 - 82nd Regular

• Out of House Committee: 4/3/11
• Introduced: 3/1/11
• Refer: 3/7/11
• Report Pass: 3/22/11

Caption

Relating to the repeal of certain laws regulating the registration of animal tattoo marks with the Department of Public Safety.

Impact

By removing the registration requirement, HB 1991 could lead to a reduction in bureaucratic overhead for ranchers and farmers who previously needed to comply with these regulations. Without the necessity of registering tattoo marks, animal identification processes could become more flexible, allowing ranchers to employ alternative methods for identifying their livestock, such as microchipping or other identification techniques that do not involve tattooing. This change could enhance operational efficiency within the agriculture sector of Texas.

Summary

House Bill 1991 seeks to repeal certain laws regarding the registration of animal tattoo marks with the Department of Public Safety (DPS). Specifically, this bill targets Subchapter E of Chapter 144 in the Agriculture Code, effectively eliminating the requirement for such registration. The intent behind this repeal is to streamline agricultural regulations and potentially ease the burden on livestock owners, as the requirement for having tattoo marks registered may have been considered outdated or unnecessary by proponents of the bill.

Contention

While there are likely to be supporters noting the benefits of reducing regulatory burdens, there may be concerns regarding the implications of repealing such standards. The lack of a formalized registration process could potentially lead to challenges in traceability and accountability within the livestock industry. For instance, in situations involving theft or disease outbreaks, having a system of official registrations might help in tracking animal ownership and history more accurately. Therefore, the repeal could foster a divide in opinions among stakeholders about the importance of regulation versus the need for flexibility.