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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to elk participating in a disease surveillance program. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subtitle C, Title 6, Agriculture Code, |
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Subchapter C, Chapter 161, is amended by adding Section 161.0541 |
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Section 161.0541 (a) Elk, being moved in commerce, in Texas, shall |
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participate in a disease testing surveillance program administered |
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by the Commission. |
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(b) Any person who possess and transports elk within the |
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state shall test elk for CWD or other diseases as determined in |
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accordance with standards established by the Commission. |
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(c) The commission shall adopt rules to administer this |
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section, including rules relating to the testing, identification, |
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transportation, and inspection for participants in the disease |
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testing program. |
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(d) A person commits an offense if the person knowingly |
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fails to handle elk, in accordance with rules adopted by the |
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Commission. |
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(e) An offense under Subsection (d) of this section is a |
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Class C misdemeanor unless it is shown on the trial of the offense |
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that the defendant has been previously convicted under this |
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section, in which event the offense is a Class B misdemeanor. |
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SECTION 2. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives |
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a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as |
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provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this |
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Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this |
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Act takes effect September 1, 2009. |