BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center H.B. 1363
AUTHOR'S/SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
The use of certificates of veterinary inspection, often called health certificates, is vital to ensure that only healthy and disease-free animals are moved within the state or exported to other states or countries. A licensed accredited veterinarian signs a certificate of veterinary inspection after having visually inspected such animals before issuance of a certificate. A fee of 25 cents for each certificate was established by statute in 1981. This fee no longer covers the cost of printing the certificates.
H.B. 1363 authorizes the Texas Animal Health Commission to provide by rule for the issuance of certificates of veterinary inspection and set a fee for each certificate. This bill also repeals the 25 cent fee.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
Rulemaking authority is expressly granted to the Texas Animal Health Commission in SECTION 1 (Section 161.0601, Agriculture Code) of this bill.
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Subchapter C, Chapter 161, Agriculture Code, by adding Section 161.0601, as follows:
Sec. 161.0601. CERTIFICATES OF VETERINARY INSPECTION. (a) Authorizes the Texas Animal Health Commission (commission), by rule, to provide for the issuance of a certificate of veterinary inspection by a veterinarian to a person transporting livestock, exotic livestock, domestic fowl, or exotic fowl.
(b) Requires the commission, by rule, to set and charge a fee for each certificate of veterinary inspection provided to a veterinarian under this section.
SECTION 2. Repealer: Section 161.081(d) (regarding a 25-cent fee for each certificate issued), Agriculture Code.
SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 2005.