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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to a disease surveillance program for elk; providing a |
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penalty. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter C, Chapter 161, Agriculture Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 161.0541 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 161.0541. ELK DISEASE SURVEILLANCE PROGRAM. (a) The |
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commission by rule may establish a disease surveillance program for |
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elk. |
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(b) Rules adopted under this section must: |
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(1) require each person who moves elk in this state to |
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have elk tested for chronic wasting disease or other diseases as |
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determined by the commission; |
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(2) be designed to protect the health of the elk |
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population in this state; and |
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(3) include provisions for testing, identification, |
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transportation, and inspection under the disease surveillance |
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program. |
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(c) A person commits an offense if the person knowingly |
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violates a rule adopted by the commission under this section. |
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(d) An offense under Subsection (c) is a Class C misdemeanor |
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unless it is shown on the trial of the offense that the defendant |
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has previously been convicted of an offense under that subsection, |
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in which event the offense is a Class B misdemeanor. |
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SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2009. |