87R1592 MAW-D
By: West S.B. No. 323
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the licensing and regulation of dog and cat breeders;
expanding the applicability of an occupational license; requiring a
review of fee amounts.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 802.002(8), Occupations Code, is amended
to read as follows:
(8) "Dog or cat breeder" means a person who possesses
five [11] or more adult intact female animals and is engaged in the
business of breeding those animals for direct or indirect sale or
for exchange in return for consideration [and who sells or
exchanges, or offers to sell or exchange, not fewer than 20 animals
in a calendar year].
SECTION 2. Not later than December 1, 2021, the Texas
Commission of Licensing and Regulation shall review the fee amounts
established under Section 802.052, Occupations Code, and adjust the
amount of fees as necessary to ensure the fees are established in
amounts sufficient to cover the costs of administering and
enforcing Chapter 802, Occupations Code.
SECTION 3. Notwithstanding Section 802.002(8), Occupations
Code, as amended by this Act, a dog or cat breeder who possesses
five or more but fewer than 11 adult intact female animals and is
engaged in the business of breeding those animals for direct or
indirect sale or for exchange in return for consideration is not
required to hold a license under Chapter 802, Occupations Code, to
act as a dog or cat breeder before January 1, 2022.
SECTION 4. 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.