BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center                                                                                                C.S.H.B. 375

81R30041 TRH-D                                                                                          By: Miller, Sid (Estes)

Agriculture & Rural Affairs

5/5/2009

Committee Report (Substituted)

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

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 include "elk" in the definition of "livestock," a few counties are revoking agriculture-related exemptions of some property owners.

C.S.H.B. 375 relates to classifying elk and elk hybrids as livestock under the Agriculture Code.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Section 1.003(3), Agriculture Code, to redefine "livestock" to mean cattle, horses, mules, asses, sheep, goats, llamas, alpacas, exotic livestock, including elk and elk hybrids, and  hogs, unless otherwise defined.

SECTION 2.  Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2009.