By:  Jackson                                                      S.B. No. 682
	(In the Senate - Filed February 23, 2005; March 2, 2005, 
read first time and referred to Subcommittee on Agriculture and 
Coastal Resources; March 8, 2005, reported favorably to Committee 
on Natural Resources; March 21, 2005, reported adversely, with 
favorable Committee Substitute from Committee on Natural Resources 
by the following vote:  Yeas 7, Nays 0; March 21, 2005, sent to 
printer.)


COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR S.B. No. 682                                    By:  Jackson


A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT


relating to the development of an animal identification program; 
providing a criminal penalty.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Section 161.056, Agriculture Code, is amended to 
read as follows:
	Sec. 161.056.  ANIMAL IDENTIFICATION PROGRAM [OF EXOTIC 
ANIMALS].  (a)  In order to provide for disease control and enhance 
the ability to trace disease-infected animals or animals that have 
been exposed to disease, the commission may develop and implement 
an animal identification program that is consistent with the United 
States Department of Agriculture's National Animal Identification 
System.
	(b)  The commission may recognize the following as official 
identification numbers in the state:
		(1)  premises identification numbers assigned to each 
geographically unique location associated with animal agriculture;
		(2)  individual animal identification numbers; and                     
		(3)  group identification numbers.                                     
	(c)  The commission may require the use of official 
identification numbers assigned as part of the animal 
identification program for animal disease control, animal 
emergency management, and other commission programs.
	(d)  The commission may establish a date by which all 
premises must be registered and may assess a registration fee on all 
entities that register for a premises identification number.
	(e)  Information collected by the commission under this 
section is exempt from the public disclosure requirements of 
Chapter 552, Government Code.  The commission may provide 
information to another person, including a governmental entity, 
without altering the confidential status of the information.  The 
commission may release information to:
		(1)  a person who owns or controls animals and seeks 
information regarding those animals, if the person requests the 
information in writing;
		(2)  the attorney general's office, for the purpose of 
law enforcement;
		(3)  the secretary of the United States Department of 
Agriculture, for the purpose of animal health protection;
		(4)  the secretary of the Department of Homeland 
Security, for the purpose of homeland security;
		(5)  the Department of State Health Services, for the 
purpose of protecting the public health from zoonotic diseases;
		(6)  any person, under an order of a court of competent 
jurisdiction;
		(7)  a state, municipal, or county emergency management 
authority, for the purpose of management or response to natural or 
man-made disasters; or
		(8)  any person the executive director of the 
commission considers appropriate, if the executive director 
determines that:
			(A)  livestock may be threatened by a disease, 
agent, or pest; and  
			(B)  the release of the information is related to 
actions the commission may take under this section.
	(f)  Notwithstanding Subsection (e), the commission shall 
release information collected under this section if the release is 
necessary for emergency management purposes under Chapter 418, 
Government Code.  The release of information under this subsection 
does not alter the confidential status of the information.
	(g)  A person commits an offense if the person fails to 
comply with an order or rule adopted under this section.
	(h)  An offense under Subsection (g) is a Class C misdemeanor 
unless it is shown on the trial of the offense that the defendant 
has been convicted previously under this section, in which case the 
offense is a Class B misdemeanor.
	(i)  The commission may adopt rules necessary to implement 
and enforce this section [to establish a standard method for 
identifying and tracking exotic livestock and exotic fowl].
	SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2005.                           



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