Texas 2023 88th Regular

Texas Senate Bill SB876 Introduced / Bill

Filed 02/13/2023

                    88R3333 DIO-D
 By: Flores, Whitmire S.B. No. 876


 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.
 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.  As soon as practicable after the effective date
 of this Act, the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation shall
 prescribe the forms and procedures necessary to implement the
 changes in law made by this Act.
 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, 2024.
 SECTION 4.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.