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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to activities conducted in connection with a state or |
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federal disease control or eradication program for animals. |
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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 161.0417 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 161.0417. AUTHORIZED PERSONNEL FOR DISEASE CONTROL. |
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(a) A person, including a veterinarian, must be authorized by the |
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commission in order to engage in an activity that is part of a state |
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or federal disease control or eradication program for animals. |
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(b) The commission shall adopt rules for the authorization |
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of a person described by Subsection (a). |
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(c) The commission may, after reasonable notice, suspend or |
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revoke a person's authorization under Subsection (a) if the |
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commission determines that the person has substantially failed to |
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comply with this chapter or rules adopted under this chapter. |
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(d) A person is entitled to a hearing before the commission |
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or a hearing examiner appointed by the commission before the |
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commission may revoke the person's authorization under Subsection |
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(a). The commission shall make all final decisions to suspend or |
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revoke an authorization. |
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(e) This section does not affect the requirement for a |
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license or an exemption under Chapter 801, Occupations Code, to |
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practice veterinary medicine. |
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SECTION 2. Section 161.0601(a), Agriculture Code, is |
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amended to read as follows: |
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(a) The commission by rule may provide for the issuance, |
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including electronically, of a certificate of veterinary |
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inspection by a veterinarian to a person transporting livestock, |
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exotic livestock, domestic fowl, or exotic fowl. |
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SECTION 3. Not later than December 1, 2013, the Texas Animal |
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Health Commission shall adopt rules as required by Section |
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161.0417, Agriculture Code, as added by this Act. |
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SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2013. |