By: Laubenberg (Senate Sponsor - Carona) H.B. No. 3542
(In the Senate - Received from the House May 12, 2003;
May 13, 2003, read first time and referred to Committee on
Administration; May 20, 2003, reported favorably by the following
vote: Yeas 7, Nays 0; May 20, 2003, sent to printer.)
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the regulation of milk and milk products.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 431, Health and Safety
Code, is amended by adding Section 431.010 to read as follows:
Sec. 431.010. APPLICABILITY OF CHAPTER TO MILK AND MILK
PRODUCTS. (a) This chapter applies to milk or a milk product
subject to Chapter 435. Milk or a milk product is a food for
purposes of this chapter.
(b) Except as provided by Subsection (c), this chapter
applies to the conduct of a person who holds a permit under Chapter
435.
(c) A person who holds a permit under Chapter 435 related to
the processing, producing, bottling, receiving, transferring, or
transporting of Grade A milk or milk products and who is engaging in
conduct within the scope of that permit is not required to hold a
license as a food manufacturer or food wholesaler under Subchapter
J.
SECTION 2. Section 431.2211, Health and Safety Code, is
amended by adding Subsection (a-2) to read as follows:
(a-2) A person is not required to hold a license under this
subchapter if the person holds a permit under Chapter 435 related to
the processing, producing, bottling, receiving, transferring, or
transporting of Grade A milk or milk products and is engaging in
conduct within the scope of that permit.
SECTION 3. Subchapter A, Chapter 435, Health and Safety
Code, is amended by adding Section 435.0015 to read as follows:
Sec. 435.0015. APPLICABILITY OF OTHER LAW. Except as
provided by Section 431.010(c), Chapter 431 applies to a person and
milk or a milk product regulated under this chapter.
SECTION 4. Section 435.011, Health and Safety Code, is
amended to read as follows:
Sec. 435.011. HEARING [ON APPLICATION OF RULE OR DENIAL OF
PERMIT]. (a) The board shall establish a procedure by which a
person aggrieved by the application of a board rule [or the denial
of a permit] may receive a hearing [on that action] under Chapter
2001, Government Code.
(b) The refusal or the suspension or revocation of a permit
by the department and the appeal of that action are governed by the
procedures for a contested case hearing under Chapter 2001,
Government Code.
SECTION 5. Section 435.012, Health and Safety Code, is
amended to read as follows:
Sec. 435.012. REFUSAL TO GRANT PERMIT; SUSPENSION OR
REVOCATION OF PERMIT. (a) The department may refuse an
application for a permit under this chapter or may suspend or revoke
a permit issued under this chapter [if the permit holder fails to
make timely payment of the monthly fees required under Section
435.009].
(b) The board and its representative may revoke and regrade
permits if on inspection the board or its representative finds that
the use of the grade label does not conform to the specifications or
requirements adopted by the board under this chapter.
(c) The board by rule shall:
(1) provide for the denial, suspension, or revocation
of a permit; and
(2) establish reasonable minimum standards for
granting and maintaining a permit issued under this chapter.
SECTION 6. Section 435.014, Health and Safety Code, is
amended by adding Subsection (d) to read as follows:
(d) The penalty prescribed by this section is subject to
either the sanctions prescribed in the Grade A Pasteurized Milk
Ordinance for products covered by the ordinance or any civil or
administrative penalty or sanction otherwise imposed by Chapter 431
or other law for products not covered by the ordinance.
SECTION 7. The Texas Board of Health shall adopt the rules
and establish the procedures required by Section 435.012, Health
and Safety Code, as amended by this Act, not later than December 1,
2003.
SECTION 8. This Act takes effect September 1, 2003.
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