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