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.