By:  Armbrister                                                   S.B. No. 498
	(In the Senate - Filed February 14, 2003; February 19, 2003, 
read first time and referred to Subcommittee on Agriculture; 
March 31, 2003, reported adversely, with favorable Committee 
Substitute to the Committee on Natural Resources by the following 
vote:  Yeas 2, Nays 0; April 14, 2003, reported adversely, with 
favorable Committee Substitute from the Committee on Natural 
Resources by the following vote:  Yeas 6, Nays 0; April 14, 2003, 
sent to printer.)


COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR S.B. No. 498                                    By:  Estes


A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT


relating to state agricultural policy regarding bison.                      
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Chapter 2, Agriculture Code, is amended by 
adding Section 2.005 to read as follows:
	Sec. 2.005.  POLICY:  BISON.  The agricultural policy of this 
state must recognize that bison:
		(1)  are wild animals indigenous to this state;                        
		(2)  are distinct from cattle, livestock, exotic 
livestock, and game animals; and
		(3)  may be raised and used for:                                       
			(A)  commercial purposes; or                                          
			(B)  the purpose of preserving the bison species.                     
	SECTION 2.  Subdivision (11), Section 433.003, Health and 
Safety Code, is amended to read as follows:
		(11)  "Livestock" means cattle, bison, sheep, swine, 
goats, horses, mules, other equines, poultry, domestic rabbits, 
exotic animals, or domesticated game birds.
	SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives 
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as 
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this 
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this 
Act takes effect September 1, 2003.



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