81R10365 BEF-F
 
  By: Flynn H.B. No. 2042
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the notice requirements following impoundment of an
  estray.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 142.009(d), Agriculture Code, is amended
  to read as follows:
         (d)  If the owner of the estray is unknown, the sheriff or the
  sheriff's designee shall make a diligent search for the identity of
  the owner of the estray, including a search in the county register
  of recorded brands, if the animal has an identifiable brand. If the
  search does not reveal the owner, the sheriff shall post a notice of
  the impoundment of the estray on the public notice board of the
  courthouse and advertise the impoundment of the estray:
               (1)  in a newspaper of general circulation in the
  county at least twice during the 15 days after the date of
  impoundment; or
               (2)  on the county's Internet website for at least 15
  days after the date of impoundment [and shall post a notice of the
  impoundment on the public notice board of the courthouse].
         SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
  a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
  provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this
  Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
  Act takes effect September 1, 2009.