AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

 

Currently, it is not a criminal offense to improperly handle or move livestock, exotic livestock, domestic fowl, or exotic fowl when the owner has been notified that the animal is restricted because of disease exposure or disease testing.

 

The legislation makes it a Class C misdemeanor to improperly handle or move livestock, exotic livestock, domestic fowl, or exotic fowl when the owner has been notified that the animal is restricted because of disease exposure or disease testing.

 

S.B. 970 amends current law relating to the failure to handle certain animals in accordance with rules of the Texas Animal Health Commission and amends provisions subject to a criminal penalty.

 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

 

Rulemaking authority is expressly granted to the Texas Animal Health Commission in SECTION 1 (Section 161.041, Agriculture Code) of this bill.

 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

 

SECTION 1. Amends Section 161.041(c), Agriculture Code, as follows:

 

(c) Provides that a person commits an offense if the person knowingly fails to handle, in accordance with rules adopted by the Texas Animal Health Commission TAHC, livestock, exotic livestock, domestic fowl, or exotic fowl:

 

(1) infected with a disease listed in Subsection (a);

 

(2) exposed, as defined by TAHC rule, to a disease listed in Subsection (a) if TAHC has notified the person that the animal was exposed to the disease; or

 

(3) subject to a testing requirement due to a risk of exposure, as defined by TAHC rule, to a specific disease if TAHC has notified the person of the testing requirement.

 

SECTION 2. Makes application of this Act prospective.

 

SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 2015.