BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 3419

By: Cain

Agriculture & Livestock

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

A statutory provision that effectively restricts the transportation of large quantities of horsemeat between the hours of 10 p.m. and 4 a.m. creates unnecessary economic burdens and leads to an inefficient use of enforcement resources. Repealing this provision will remove an unnecessary regulation and will provide for increased operational flexibility. Additionally, the repeal will allow government resources, such as law enforcement and regulatory agencies, to better address public concerns more pressing than the transportation of horsemeat between these hours. H.B. 3419 seeks to resolve this issue by providing for such a repeal.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

H.B. 3419 repeals Section 149.004(4), Agriculture Code, which establishes as prima facie evidence of an offense of the sale, possession, or transfer of horsemeat for human consumption the transportation between the hours of 10 p.m. and 4 a.m. of horsemeat that is not in individual packages or containers of not more than five pounds and is not plainly labeled "horsemeat."

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2023.