81R7006 BEF-F
 
  By: Kleinschmidt H.B. No. 3322
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to participation in an animal identification system.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 161.056, Agriculture Code, is amended by
  adding Subsections (a-1), (j), (k), (l), and (m) and amending
  Subsections (c) and (d) to read as follows:
         (a-1)  A person may apply for the program by submitting an
  annual fee determined by the commission and a signed application
  prescribed by the commission. An application form prescribed by
  the commission must include a conspicuous notice that the program
  is voluntary unless the United States Department of Agriculture
  imposes a mandatory national animal identification system.
         (c)  The commission may permit [require] the use of official
  identification numbers assigned as part of the animal
  identification program for animal disease control, animal
  emergency management, and other commission programs.
         (d)  The commission may [establish a date by which all
  premises must be registered and may] assess a registration fee on
  all entities that register for a premises identification number.
         (j)  The commission may not make the use of an animal
  identification program under this section mandatory unless a final
  federal rule adopted in accordance with 5 U.S.C. Section 553 makes
  the use of a national animal identification system by persons in
  this state mandatory.  If the use of a national animal
  identification system becomes mandatory as provided by this
  subsection, the commission may adopt rules and implement a timeline
  to make the program under this section mandatory, but the rules may
  not be more stringent than the federal rule mandating the use of a
  national animal identification system.
         (k)  The commission may not require the use of national
  animal identification system-compliant premises registration or
  animal identification numbers or devices as part of a government
  program except as provided by Subsection (j).
         (l)  Unless the commission has developed rules and a timeline
  for implementing a mandatory program under Subsection (j), a person
  who participates in the program may withdraw from the program at any
  time. The commission shall delete from the program all personal
  information relating to a participant when the participant
  withdraws from the program.
         (m)  A person may not condition a service, benefit, license,
  payment, or permit on participation in a program under this section
  unless the commission has adopted rules and a timeline for
  implementing a mandatory program under Subsection (j).
         SECTION 2.  Sections 161.056(g) and (h), Agriculture Code,
  are repealed.
         SECTION 3.  The Texas Animal Health Commission shall, not
  later than November 1, 2009, provide notice of the changes to
  Section 161.056, Agriculture Code, made by this Act to each person
  registered on the effective date of this Act under that section and
  provide the person with the opportunity to withdraw from the
  program.
         SECTION 4.  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.