BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center H.B. 693
81R2601 JAM-D By: Truitt (Hegar)
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
Current law requires falconers practicing in Texas to obtain a structural pest control license from the Structural Pest Control Board. A structural pest control license applicant is required to complete an apprenticeship under a licensed commercial pesticide applicator as well as 28 hours of classroom training and 40 hours of on-the-job training in pesticide application, mixing, spill cleanup, and insect inspection before receiving a license. These tasks are related primarily to the control of insect pests rather than the unattended bird roosts controlled by falconers. Falconers are already required to maintain a federal and state falconry permit for which the applicant is required to pass a licensing exam, build aviary facilities that are regularly inspected by a game warden, and complete a two-year apprenticeship under the sponsorship of a general master class falconer.
H.B. 693 exempts a person engaged in falconry from structural pest control licensing requirements to prevent unnecessary licensing procedures for falconers.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Subchapter B, Chapter 1951, Occupations Code, by adding Section 1951.057, as follows:
Sec. 1951.057. FALCONERS. (a) Provides that this chapter does not apply to a person engaged in falconry, as defined by Section 49.001 (Definitions), Parks and Wildlife Code, who is the holder of a falconer's permit as provided by Chapter 49 (Falconry Permit), Parks and Wildlife Code, and uses a raptor to control or relocate other birds.
(b) Provides that a person described by Subsection (a) is not considered to be engaged in the business of structural pest control.
SECTION 2. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2009.