BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 1521

By: Clardy

Agriculture & Livestock

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Currently, certain Agriculture Code provisions relating to the disposal of diseased or exposed livestock and the compensation of livestock owners do not include domestic and exotic fowl.  It has been noted that the commercial fowl industry would benefit from taking similar precautions regarding the disposal of diseased and exposed fowl to the precautions afforded to livestock and that such measures will also avoid risks to human health due to the consumption of chicken.  H.B. 1521 seeks to address the issue by establishing provisions relating to the slaughter of certain domestic or exotic fowl infected with or exposed to disease and the compensation of owners.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

H.B. 1521 amends the Agriculture Code to extend the Texas Animal Health Commission's authority to require the slaughter of livestock or the sale of livestock for immediate slaughter if the livestock is exposed to or infected with certain diseases to the slaughter or sale for immediate slaughter of domestic or exotic fowl if the fowl is exposed to or infected with such a disease. The bill similarly extends the commission's authority to require the slaughter and disposal of livestock exposed to or infected with other diseases if the commission determines that action to be necessary for the protection of animal health in Texas to the slaughter and disposal of domestic or exotic fowl exposed to or infected with such a disease. The bill extends the commission's authority to pay an indemnity to the owner of livestock exposed to or infected with a disease if the commission considers it necessary to eradicate the disease and to dispose of the exposed or diseased livestock to the payment of an indemnity to the owner of domestic or exotic fowl exposed to or infected with such a disease.

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2013.