By:  Kuempel                                                      H.B. No. 2556


A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to a prohibition on the importation of Chronic Wasting Disease-susceptible species; providing a criminal penalty. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Subchapter E, Chapter 161, Agriculture Code, is amended by adding section 161.082 to read as follows: Sec. 161.082. PROHIBITION ON IMPORTATION OF CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE-SUSCEPTIBLE SPECIES. The commission by rule shall prohibit the importation into Texas of all species that are susceptible to chronic wasting disease (CWD) until such time as rules and regulations are in place to satisfactorily monitor the intrastate movement of CWD-susceptible species, or until such time as a validated, reasonable and reliable live animal test for CWD is available. SECTION 2. Section 161.143(a), Agriculture Code, is amended to read as follows: (a) A person, including a railroad company or other common carrier, commits an offense if the person knowingly moves an animal into this state in violation of a rule of the commission adopted under Section 161.081 or 161.082 [of this code]. 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, 2005.