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repealed.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.