BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center S.B. 970 84R11180 BEF-D By: Perry Agriculture, Water, & Rural Affairs 3/19/2015 As Filed
BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center S.B. 970
84R11180 BEF-D By: Perry
Agriculture, Water, & Rural Affairs
3/19/2015
As Filed
Senate Research Center
S.B. 970
84R11180 BEF-D
By: Perry
Agriculture, Water, & Rural Affairs
3/19/2015
As Filed
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT Currently, it is not a criminal offense to improperly handle or move livestock, exotic livestock, domestic fowl, or exotic fowl when the owner has been notified that the animal is restricted because of disease exposure or disease testing. The legislation makes it a Class C misdemeanor to improperly handle or move livestock, exotic livestock, domestic fowl, or exotic fowl when the owner has been notified that the animal is restricted because of disease exposure or disease testing. As proposed, S.B. 970 amends current law relating to the failure to handle certain animals in accordance with rules of the Texas Animal Health Commission; imposes a criminal penalty. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY Rulemaking authority is expressly granted to the Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) in SECTION 1 (Section 161.041, Agriculture Code) of this bill. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Section 161.041(c), Agriculture Code, as follows: (c) Provides that a person commits an offense if the person knowingly fails to handle, in accordance with rules adopted by TAHC, livestock, exotic livestock, domestic fowl, or exotic fowl: (1) infected with a disease listed in Subsection (a); (2) exposed to a disease listed in Subsection (a) if TAHC has notified the person that the animal was exposed to the disease; or (3) the movement of which is restricted under rules adopted by TAHC. SECTION 2. Makes application of this Act prospective. SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 2015.
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
Currently, it is not a criminal offense to improperly handle or move livestock, exotic livestock, domestic fowl, or exotic fowl when the owner has been notified that the animal is restricted because of disease exposure or disease testing.
The legislation makes it a Class C misdemeanor to improperly handle or move livestock, exotic livestock, domestic fowl, or exotic fowl when the owner has been notified that the animal is restricted because of disease exposure or disease testing.
As proposed, S.B. 970 amends current law relating to the failure to handle certain animals in accordance with rules of the Texas Animal Health Commission; imposes a criminal penalty.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
Rulemaking authority is expressly granted to the Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) in SECTION 1 (Section 161.041, Agriculture Code) of this bill.
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Section 161.041(c), Agriculture Code, as follows:
(c) Provides that a person commits an offense if the person knowingly fails to handle, in accordance with rules adopted by TAHC, livestock, exotic livestock, domestic fowl, or exotic fowl:
(1) infected with a disease listed in Subsection (a);
(2) exposed to a disease listed in Subsection (a) if TAHC has notified the person that the animal was exposed to the disease; or
(3) the movement of which is restricted under rules adopted by TAHC.
SECTION 2. Makes application of this Act prospective.
SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 2015.