LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
Austin, Texas
 
FISCAL NOTE, 81ST LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION
 
March 31, 2009

TO:
Honorable Edmund Kuempel, Chair, House Committee on Licensing & Administrative Procedures
 
FROM:
John S. O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board
 
IN RE:
HB3180 by Thompson (Relating to the licensing and regulation of commercial dog and cat breeders and the regulation of dog and cat dealers; providing penalties.), As Introduced

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

The bill would require the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) to license and regulate commercial dog and cat breeders and dealers. The bill would require TDLR to establish eligibility requirements for licenses, to conduct criminal background checks on applicants, and to annually inspect each facility of a licensed commercial breeder. The bill would also require TDLR to inspect a facility before an initial commercial breeder license is issued for the facility. The bill would authorize TDLR to set a licensing fee and a nonrefundable inspection fee.

 

The bill would require TDLR to annually publish a directory of licensed commercial breeders to prepare information of consumer interest regarding the regulation of commercial breeders and the rights of a consumer.

 

The bill would require TDLR to establish a Dog and Cat Advisory Committee with seven members appointed by the commissioner to advise the Department in adopting rules and in administering and enforcing the regulation of commercial breeders. The bill would authorize the reimbursement of the Advisory Committee.

 

The agency indicates that there would be some cost to implement the provisions of the bill; however, it is assumed that these costs could be absorbed within the agency's existing budget.


Local Government Impact

No fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.


Source Agencies:
452 Department of Licensing and Regulation
LBB Staff:
JOB, JRO, MW, ES