SRC-S.B. 261 77(R)BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research CenterS.B. 261
77R3602 YDB-DBy: Bernsen
Business & Commerce
2/23/2001
Committee Report (Substituted)


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

Currently, human salmonellosis associated with exotic pets is gaining
recognition as a reemerging disease. As proposed, C.S.S.B. 261 requires the
owner of the pet store that sells reptiles to post a sign warning of
reptile-associated salmonellosis, provide a written warning of
reptile-associated salmonellosis to the purchaser of a reptile, and require
the Texas Board of Health to adopt rules to govern the information required
by the sign and the written notice. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

Rulemaking authority is expressly granted to the Texas Board of Health in
SECTION 1 (Section 81.352, Health and Safety Code) of this bill. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Chapter 81, Health and Safety Code, by adding Subchapter
I, as follows: 

SUBCHAPTER I.  ANIMAL-BORNE DISEASES

 Sec. 81.351. DEFINITION. Defines "pet store."

Sec. 81.352. WARNING SIGN REQUIRED; BOARD RULES. Requires the owner or
operator of a pet store that sells reptiles to post a sign warning of
reptile-associated salmonellosis in accordance with the Texas Board of
Health (board) rules; and ensure that a written warning related to
reptile-associated salmonellosis is provided to each purchaser of a
reptile. Requires the board to adopt rules to govern the form and content
of the required sign and the manner and place of posting of the sign; and
the form and content of the required written warning.  

Sec. 81.353.ADMINISTRATIVE PENALTY. Authorizes the Texas Department of
Health (department), if the department determines that this section has
been violated, to impose an administrative penalty of no more than $500 for
each act of violation. 

SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2001.



SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE CHANGES

SECTION 1. Amends As filed S.B. 261, Section 81.353, Health & Safety Code,
as follows: 

 _Replaces As Filed proposed text of Sec. 81.353 regarding criminal penalty
with new text regarding administrative penalty. 

 _Deletes previously proposed language in Sec. 81.353 pertaining to an
offense under this  Section being a Class C misdemeanor. 

SECTION 2. No change.