84R3235 BEF-F
By: White of Tyler H.B. No. 809
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the composition of and qualifications for appointment
to the Texas Animal Health Commission.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 161.021, Agriculture Code, is amended by
amending Subsections (a) and (d) and adding Subsection (a-1) to
read as follows:
(a) The commission is composed of 15 [13] commissioners
appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the senate,
with the appropriate number from each of the following categories:
(1) a practitioner of veterinary medicine;
(2) a dairyman;
(3) a cattle raiser;
(4) a hog raiser;
(5) a sheep or goat raiser;
(6) a poultry raiser;
(7) an individual involved in the equine industry;
(8) an individual involved in the feedlot industry;
(9) an individual involved in the livestock marketing
industry;
(10) three members of the general public; [and]
(11) an individual involved in the exotic livestock or
exotic fowl industry;
(12) an individual who raises livestock, but not more
than 20 animal units each year as provided by Subsection (a-1); and
(13) an individual who raises poultry, but not more
than 100 birds each year.
(a-1) For purposes of Subsection (a)(12), the Texas A&M
AgriLife Extension Service shall adopt rules to determine how many
livestock of a species constitute an animal unit based on the amount
of forage consumed by livestock of that species.
(d) A person is not eligible for appointment as a public
member of the commission if the person or the person's spouse:
(1) is registered, certified, or licensed by the
commission;
(2) is employed by or participates in the management
of a business entity or other organization:
(A) regulated by the commission;
(B) [or] receiving money from the commission; or
(C) a significant portion of the operations of
which involves animals that are regulated by the commission;
(3) owns or controls, directly or indirectly, more
than a 10 percent interest in a business entity or other
organization:
(A) regulated by the commission;
(B) [or] receiving money from the commission;
or
(C) a significant portion of the operations of
which involves animals that are regulated by the commission; or
(4) uses or receives a substantial amount of tangible
goods, services, or money from the commission, other than
compensation or reimbursement authorized by law for commission
membership, attendance, or expenses.
SECTION 2. Section 161.022, Agriculture Code, is amended to
read as follows:
Sec. 161.022. TERM. Commissioners serve for staggered
terms of six years, with the terms of [four or] five members
expiring every other year.
SECTION 3. As soon as practicable before, on, or after the
effective date of this Act, the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension
Service shall adopt rules under Section 161.021(a-1), Agriculture
Code, as added by this Act.
SECTION 4. As soon as practicable after the Texas A&M
AgriLife Extension Service adopts rules under Section
161.021(a-1), Agriculture Code, as added by this Act, the governor
shall appoint the members of the Texas Animal Health Commission
under Sections 161.021(a)(12) and (13), Agriculture Code, as added
by this Act. The governor shall appoint one member to a term
expiring in September 2017 and one member to a term expiring in
September 2021.
SECTION 5. A public member of the Texas Animal Health
Commission who does not meet the qualifications for office under
Section 161.021(d), Agriculture Code, as amended by this Act, on
the effective date of this Act is removed from office on that date.
If a public member is removed as provided by this section, the
governor shall appoint a replacement to a term complying with
Section 161.022, Agriculture Code, as amended by this Act.
SECTION 6. This Act takes effect September 1, 2015.