BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center H.B. 1362
79R4912 QS-F By: Hardcastle (Jackson)
AUTHOR'S/SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
Current Texas law requires an authorized inspector with the Texas Animal Health Commission (commission) to be present at all livestock markets. This creates an untenable burden on animal inspectors who are stretched to the limit under normal conditions. When an emergency occurs, such as an outbreak of a disease, like avian influenza, inspectors are pulled from their normal duties to respond to emergencies.
H.B. 1362 authorizes the commission to assign an inspector to another duty of higher priority when necessary.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Section 161.114, Agriculture Code, by authorizing, rather than requiring, an authorized inspector to examine livestock, rather than all livestock, consigned and delivered on the premises of a livestock market before the livestock are offered for sale.
SECTION 2. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2005.