By: McReynolds Senate Sponsor-Nichols H.B. No. 1457

(In the Senate - Received from the House April 30, 2007; May 2, 2007, read first time and referred to Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Affairs and Coastal Resources; May 19, 2007, reported adversely, with favorable Committee Substitute from Committee on Natural Resources by the following vote: Yeas 11, Nays 0; May 19, 2007, sent to printer.)

COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR H.B. No. 1457 By: Hegar

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the acceptable methods for disposal of poultry carcasses.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Section 26.303(a), Water Code, is amended to read as follows:

(a) The commission by rule shall adopt requirements for the safe and adequate handling, storage, transportation, and disposal of poultry carcasses. The rules must:

(1) specify the acceptable methods for disposal of poultry carcasses, including:

(A) placement in a landfill permitted by the commission to receive municipal solid waste;

(B) composting;

(C) cremation or incineration;

(D) extrusion;

(E) on-farm freezing;

(F) rendering; and

(G) [cooking for swine food; and

[(H)] any other method the commission determines to be appropriate;

(2) require poultry carcasses stored on the site of a poultry facility to be stored in a varmint-proof receptacle to prevent odor, leakage, or spillage;

(3) prohibit the storage of unfrozen or refrigerated poultry carcasses on the site of a poultry facility for more than 72 hours; and

(4) authorize the on-site burial of poultry carcasses only in the event of a major die-off that exceeds the capacity of a poultry facility to handle and dispose of poultry carcasses by the normal means used by the facility.

SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2007.

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