Texas Senate Bill SB1750

Texas 2013 - 83rd Regular

Caption

Relating to a criminal penalty for failure to handle certain animals in accordance with rules of the Texas Animal Health Commission.

Impact

The implementation of SB1750 is expected to have significant implications for agricultural and animal husbandry practices within Texas. By establishing a criminal penalty, the legislation underscores the state’s commitment to preventing the spread of animal diseases, which could have detrimental effects on both agriculture and public safety. The bill is intended to incentivize better compliance with health regulations among animal keepers and producers, thus potentially enhancing the overall health of livestock and fowl populations throughout the state.

Summary

SB1750 is a legislative measure that seeks to impose criminal penalties on individuals who fail to manage certain animals in compliance with the Texas Animal Health Commission's rules. Specifically, the bill amends Section 161.041 of the Agriculture Code to create an offense for knowingly failing to handle livestock, exotic livestock, domestic fowl, or exotic fowl that are infected with, exposed to, or subject to testing requirements for certain diseases as defined by the commission. This provision aims to reinforce the importance of adherence to health and safety standards to protect both animal and public health.

Contention

There may be points of contention regarding the enforcement of these criminal penalties and how they might affect smaller operations that might struggle to comply fully with the commission's rules. Advocates for animal health may support stricter regulations as necessary for disease prevention, while critics may argue that such measures could disproportionately impact smaller farming operations or create unnecessary burdens. Furthermore, the bill's passage could lead to concerns about potential legal implications for producers who inadvertently fail to comply with ambiguous regulations.