78R5444 AKH-D

By:  Jackson                                                      S.B. No. 708



A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to regulation of wild animals by counties and certain 
other authorities.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Section 240.002, Local Government Code, is 
amended by adding Subsection (c) to read as follows:
	(c)  The commissioners court of a county may delegate the 
authority granted under Subsection (a) to a county health 
department or a public health district established under Subchapter 
E, Chapter 121, Health and Safety Code.
	SECTION 2.  Section 822.116(b), Health and Safety Code, is 
amended to read as follows:
	(b)  This subchapter does not prevent a municipality or 
county, or a public health district authorized by a county under 
Section 240.002, Local Government Code, from prohibiting or 
regulating by ordinance or order the ownership, possession, 
confinement, or care of a dangerous wild animal.
	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.