S.B. 271 78(R) BILL ANALYSIS S.B. 271 By: Jackson Agriculture & Livestock Committee Report (Unamended) BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE In 1989, the Legislature created the Riding Stables Chapter (Chapter) to promote humane treatment and conditions for horses the public used in recreational riding and carriage stables. Initially, the Texas Department of Health administered the Chapter, but the responsibility was transferred to the Texas Animal Health Commission in 2001. At the same time, the Legislature directed the Sunset Commission to evaluate the ongoing public need for the Chapter, and to report to the Governor and the 78th Legislature on whether the statute should be continued, modified, or repealed. The Sunset staff concluded that no significant problems had been uncovered through 13 years of inspections and investigations and that the riding stable regulation serves no clear public need that would justify the cost and burden of the regulation. The Sunset staff further found that Texas animal cruelty laws prohibit many of the same types of animal abuse and neglect that the Chapter addresses. This bill would repeal the Riding Stables Chapter of the Occupation Code. The Animal Health Commission would continue to protect and promote health among Texas' animal populations but would no longer specifically oversee the care and treatment of recreational horses housed in riding stables. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution. ANALYSIS S.B. 271 repeals the Riding Stables Chapter of the Occupation Code. The bill provides that any administrative, civil, or criminal proceeding under Chapter 2053, Occupations Code, that is pending before the Texas Animal Health Commission or a court on September 1, 2003, is dismissed on that date. EFFECTIVE DATE September 1, 2003.