AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
State law requires persons or organizations that possess dangerous wild animals to register with and be regulated by municipal or county animal control offices, or the local county sheriff in an area without an animal control office. There are also state regulations regarding liability, insurance, inspection of facilities, offenses and penalties, and treatment and transportation of the animals.
There are 12 categories of persons, animals, and organizations that are exempted from these provisions because the provisions are not applicable or the person or organization is otherwise accredited to possess dangerous wild animals. The exemptions include organizations that are members of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA, formerly the American Zoo and Aquarium Association). Not included, however, are members accredited by the Zoological Association of America (ZAA).
S.B. 987 would include organizations that are members of the Zoological Association of America to the list of qualified exemptions and update the name of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.
As proposed, S.B. 987 amends current law relating to the regulation of dangerous wild animals.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Section 822.102(a), Health and Safety Code, as follows:
(a) Provides that this subchapter does not apply to:
(1) and (2) Makes no change to these subdivisions;
(3) an organization that is an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, rather than the American Zoo and Aquarium Association;
(4)-(10) Makes no change to these subdivisions;
(11) Makes a conforming change;
(12) Makes a nonsubstantive change; and
(13) an organization that is an accredited member of the Zoological Association of America.
SECTION 2. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2015.