By Keffer H.B. No. 1391 77R3797 BDH-D A BILL TO BE ENTITLED 1-1 AN ACT 1-2 relating to notice provided at certain sales of equine animals; 1-3 providing a criminal penalty. 1-4 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: 1-5 SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 146, Agriculture Code, is 1-6 amended by adding Section 146.009 to read as follows: 1-7 Sec. 146.009. SALE OF EQUINE ANIMAL; NOTICE REQUIRED. (a) 1-8 In this section: 1-9 (1) "Equine animal" has the meaning assigned by 1-10 Section 161.149. 1-11 (2) "Livestock market" has the meaning assigned by 1-12 Section 161.111. 1-13 (b) The owner or operator of a livestock market shall: 1-14 (1) require that any person who sells an equine animal 1-15 directly or on consignment at the market sign an acknowledgment 1-16 form stating that an equine animal sold at the market may be bought 1-17 for slaughter or for human consumption; and 1-18 (2) display in a prominent place in the livestock 1-19 market a sign giving notice that an equine animal sold at the 1-20 market may be bought for slaughter or for human consumption. 1-21 (c) A sign required under Subsection (b) must be at least 6 1-22 inches high and 14 inches wide, must appear in contrasting colors, 1-23 and shall be displayed in a conspicuous manner clearly visible to 1-24 the public attending the market. The owner or operator of a 2-1 livestock market shall display the sign in both English and 2-2 Spanish. The department by rule may prescribe the design or 2-3 wording of the sign. 2-4 (d) An owner or operator of a livestock market commits an 2-5 offense if the the owner or operator violates this section. 2-6 (e) An offense under Subsection (d) is a Class C 2-7 misdemeanor. 2-8 SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2001.