By Bailey H.B. No. 2068 77R1110 SMJ-F A BILL TO BE ENTITLED 1-1 AN ACT 1-2 relating to fees for the regulation of wild animals in certain 1-3 counties. 1-4 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: 1-5 SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 240, Local Government Code, 1-6 is amended by adding Section 240.005 to read as follows: 1-7 Sec. 240.005. PERMITTED FEES IN POPULOUS COUNTIES. (a) This 1-8 section applies only to a county with a population of more than 2.8 1-9 million. 1-10 (b) The commissioners court of a county by order may 1-11 establish an annual fee for each wild animal regulated under this 1-12 subchapter in an amount designed to recover the costs associated 1-13 with that regulation. The total annual fee imposed under this 1-14 subsection may not exceed $500 for each person who keeps a wild 1-15 animal, regardless of the number of wild animals the person keeps. 1-16 (c) In addition to the fee imposed under Subsection (b), the 1-17 commissioners court may establish a fee to recover the cost of an 1-18 action taken under this subchapter to seize or board a wild animal 1-19 being kept in violation of an order adopted under this subchapter. 1-20 The fee may not exceed the amount reasonably necessary to recover 1-21 the cost of seizing and boarding the wild animal. 1-22 SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2001.