88R9351 KKR-D By: LaMantia S.B. No. 1673 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT relating to veterinary services performed on certain animals in the care of a releasing agency. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Section 828.012(b), Health and Safety Code, is amended to read as follows: (b) A veterinarian employed by a releasing agency may not perform nonemergency veterinary services other than sterilization on an animal that the releasing agency knows or should know has an owner. However, this subsection does not prevent a veterinarian employed by a releasing agency from performing veterinary services on an animal whose owner: (1) is an individual or family whose income is: (A) not more than 80 percent of the median income for the area in which the individual or family lives as determined using a source or methodology accepted under federal law or rule; or (B) less than the federal poverty level for the relevant household size; and (2) submits to the releasing agency evidence to establish the owner qualifies as an individual or family described by Subdivision (1) [is indigent]. SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.