BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	S.B. 349
	By: Springer
	Local Government
	5/26/2023
	Enrolled

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

Interested parties have raised concerns about the inequitable application of pet policies by public housing authorities. These policies are frequently vague in their breed identification policy and must be more consistent with state law. Many housing authorities ban certain breeds simply because a breed is stereotyped as "dangerous" or "known as a fighter breed."

Housing barriers are the main reason people report surrendering their pets to shelters in Texas. There have been calls to update statutes governing these authorities to clarify that government-funded housing complies with existing state law regarding breed bans. Making the law consistent is necessary due to the common occurrence of these pet policies separating pets from their families based solely on a dog's appearance. Families at risk of housing instability deserve to keep their faithful companion. This bill seeks to remedy this situation by requiring that the pet policies of the county and municipal housing authorities to be consistent with existing state laws defining dangerous dogs.

S.B. 349 amends current law relating to county and municipal housing authority pet policies.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Subchapter D, Chapter 392, Local Government Code, by adding Section 392.0555, as follows:

Sec. 392.0555. PET OWNERSHIP POLICY. Requires a housing authority policy permitting tenant ownership of a pet to comply with all applicable county or municipal restrictions on dangerous dogs imposed under Section 822.047 (Local Regulation of Dangerous Dogs), Health and Safety Code.

SECTION 2. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2023.