1-1     By:  Bernsen                                           S.B. No. 261
 1-2           (In the Senate - Filed January 16, 2001; January 17, 2001,
 1-3     read first time and referred to Committee on Business and Commerce;
 1-4     February 26, 2001, reported adversely, with favorable Committee
 1-5     Substitute by the following vote:  Yeas 6, Nays 0;
 1-6     February 26, 2001, sent to printer.)
 1-7     COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR S.B. No. 261                  By:  Jackson
 1-8                            A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 1-9                                   AN ACT
1-10     relating to the warnings pet stores must provide concerning
1-11     reptile-associated salmonellosis; providing an administrative
1-12     penalty.
1-13           BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
1-14           SECTION 1.  Chapter 81, Health and Safety Code, is amended by
1-15     adding Subchapter I to read as follows:
1-16                    SUBCHAPTER I.  ANIMAL-BORNE DISEASES
1-17           Sec. 81.351.  DEFINITION.  In this subchapter, "pet store"
1-18     means a retail store that sells animals as pets.
1-19           Sec. 81.352.  WARNING SIGN REQUIRED; BOARD RULES.  (a)  The
1-20     owner or operator of a pet store that sells reptiles shall:
1-21                 (1)  post a sign warning of reptile-associated
1-22     salmonellosis in accordance with board rules; and
1-23                 (2)  ensure that a written warning related to
1-24     reptile-associated salmonellosis is provided to each purchaser of a
1-25     reptile.
1-26           (b)  The board shall adopt rules to govern:
1-27                 (1)  the form and content of the sign required by
1-28     Subsection (a) and the manner and place of posting of the sign; and
1-29                 (2)  the form and content of the written warning
1-30     required by Subsection (a).
1-31           Sec. 81.353.  ADMINISTRATIVE PENALTY.  If the department
1-32     determines that this subchapter has been violated, the department
1-33     may impose an administrative penalty of not more than $500 for each
1-34     act of violation.
1-35           SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2001.
1-36                                  * * * * *