By: Menéndez S.B. No. 2084
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the authority of certain counties to raise revenue for
low cost sterilizations for dogs and cats by imposing a refundable
fee for dogs and cats who are not sterilized and are adopted without
being sterilized prior to adoption.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Chapter 828, Health and Safety Code, is amended
by adding Section 828.015 to read as follows:
Sec. 828.015. FEE FOR DOGS AND CATS WHO ARE ADOPTED IN
CERTAIN COUNTIES.
(a) This section applies only to a county with a population
of more than 75,000:
(1) A county in which an animal shelter or releasing
agency is located may assess a refundable fee of not less than $25
when a dog or cat is adopted by a new owner and the dog or cat is not
already sterilized at the time of adoption.
(b) The county where a dog or cat is adopted by an animal
shelter or a releasing agency may:
(1) transfer any revenue from any fees authorized by
Subsection (b) and not refunded to the adopter to the general
fund of the county; and
(2) use the revenue to subsidize sterilizations for
dogs and cats by:
(a) contracting with a 501(c)(3) organization that provides
spay/neuter services; or
(b) allocating the funds to an animal shelter or releasing
agency to hire veterinary staff to provide spay/neuter services; or
(c) contracting with a 501(c)(3) organization that serves
low income residents in the county to distribute spay/neuter
vouchers to be used at private veterinary clinics in the county.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
Act takes effect September 1, 2021.