SRC-SLL H.B. 1630 75(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   H.B. 1630
By: Berlanga (Armbrister)
Natural Resources
4-28-97
Engrossed


DIGEST 

The current statute regarding the sufficiency of fences was created in
1876 with its last revision in 1911.  The current statute, which spells
out specific requirements for barbed wire, picket, board, and rail fences,
limits the usefulness of fences in many instances.  The usual and
customary purposes and needs for fences have changed, as well as the uses
on private property.  This bill provides new requirements for certain
agricultural fences. 

PURPOSE

As proposed, H.B. 1630 provides new requirements for certain agricultural
fences. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

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

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Section 143.028(b), Agriculture Code, to require a
fence, in order to be sufficient, to be built and maintained according to
generally accepted agricultural practices for the purpose of keeping
animals out of a tract of land.  Deletes existing text setting forth
requirements for a fence to be sufficient. 

SECTION 2. Repealer: Section 143.028(c), Agriculture Code (election
regarding sufficiency of a certain type of fence). 

SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 1997.

SECTION 4. Emergency clause.