86R3535 BEF-D
By: Lambert H.B. No. 1284
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to egg grading.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 132.002, Agriculture Code, is amended to
read as follows:
Sec. 132.002. SALE OF UNGRADED EGGS BY PRODUCER [LIMITATION
OF CHAPTER]. (a) Except as provided by Subsection (b), this [This]
chapter does not apply to a person selling only eggs that are
produced by the person's own flock and for which the person does not
claim a grade.
(b) A person who produces eggs as described by Subsection
(a) may sell the eggs directly to a consumer or at wholesale if the
eggs are clearly labeled as "ungraded."
(c) A state agency or political subdivision may not prohibit
a person described by Section 132.021(b) from purchasing,
reselling, or using eggs described by Subsection (b).
SECTION 2. Section 132.043(c), Agriculture Code, is amended
to read as follows:
(c) Licensees required by this section to collect or pay a
special fee shall remit the fee [monthly] in accordance with rules
established by the department. The rules may not require a licensee
to remit the fee more often than:
(1) monthly; or
(2) annually, if the licensee is required to remit
less than $360 for the year.
SECTION 3. Not later than December 1, 2019, the Department
of Agriculture shall adopt rules consistent with Section
132.043(c), Agriculture Code, as amended by this Act.
SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2019.