1-1                                   AN ACT

 1-2     relating to standards for the storage of eggs.

 1-3           BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

 1-4           SECTION 1.  Section 132.004, Agriculture Code, is amended to

 1-5     read as follows:

 1-6           Sec. 132.004. ADOPTION OF STANDARDS.  Standards for the

 1-7     inspection and regulation of shell eggs, including quality, grade,

 1-8     and size of shell eggs,  shall:

 1-9                 (1)  be at least equal to those adopted by the United

1-10     States Department of Agriculture and the federal Food and Drug

1-11     Administration; and

1-12                 (2)  require that, after initial packing, shell eggs be

1-13     stored at a temperature of 45 degrees Fahrenheit or less,

1-14     provided, however, that any different temperature standard adopted

1-15     by the United States Department of Agriculture and the federal Food

1-16     and Drug Administration shall prevail.

1-17           SECTION 2.  (a)  This Act takes effect September 1, 1997.

1-18           (b)  Before January 1, 1998, the commissioner of agriculture

1-19     shall adopt rules to implement the changes made by this Act to

1-20     Section 132.004, Agriculture Code.

1-21           SECTION 3.  The importance of this legislation and the

1-22     crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an

1-23     emergency and an imperative public necessity that the

1-24     constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several

 2-1     days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended.

         _______________________________     _______________________________

             President of the Senate              Speaker of the House

               I certify that H.B. No. 1052 was passed by the House on April

         3, 1997, by a non-record vote.

                                             _______________________________

                                                 Chief Clerk of the House

               I certify that H.B. No. 1052 was passed by the Senate on May

         20, 1997, by a viva-voce vote.

                                             _______________________________

                                                 Secretary of the Senate

         APPROVED:  _____________________

                            Date

                    _____________________

                          Governor