BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 375

By: Miller, Sid

Agriculture & Livestock

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Currently, many farmers and ranchers receive agriculture-related exemptions for farming and ranching operations on their property. Historically, farm elk have fallen into the exemption category but, because the Agriculture Code does not specifically define "farm elk" in the definition of "livestock," a few counties are revoking agriculture-related exemptions of some property owners. 

H.B. 375 clarifies that "farm elk" are considered "livestock" in the Agriculture Code.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

H.B. 375 amends the Agriculture Code to include farm elk in the uniform definition of "livestock."

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the act does not receive the necessary vote, the act takes effect September 1, 2009.