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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the composition of and qualifications for appointment |
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to the Texas Animal Health Commission. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 161.021, Agriculture Code, is amended by |
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amending Subsections (a) and (d) and adding Subsection (a-1) to |
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read as follows: |
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(a) The commission is composed of 15 [13] commissioners |
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appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the senate, |
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with the appropriate number from each of the following categories: |
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(1) a practitioner of veterinary medicine; |
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(2) a dairyman; |
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(3) a cattle raiser; |
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(4) a hog raiser; |
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(5) a sheep or goat raiser; |
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(6) a poultry raiser; |
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(7) an individual involved in the equine industry; |
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(8) an individual involved in the feedlot industry; |
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(9) an individual involved in the livestock marketing |
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industry; |
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(10) three members of the general public; [and] |
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(11) an individual involved in the exotic livestock or |
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exotic fowl industry; |
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(12) an individual who raises livestock, but not more |
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than 20 animal units each year as provided by Subsection (a-1); and |
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(13) an individual who raises poultry, but not more |
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than 100 birds each year. |
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(a-1) For purposes of Subsection (a)(12), the Texas A&M |
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AgriLife Extension Service shall adopt rules to determine how many |
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livestock of a species constitute an animal unit based on the amount |
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of forage consumed by livestock of that species. |
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(d) A person is not eligible for appointment as a public |
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member of the commission if the person or the person's spouse: |
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(1) is registered, certified, or licensed by the |
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commission; |
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(2) is employed by or participates in the management |
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of a business entity or other organization: |
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(A) regulated by the commission; |
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(B) [or] receiving money from the commission; or |
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(C) a significant portion of the operations of |
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which involves animals that are regulated by the commission; |
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(3) owns or controls, directly or indirectly, more |
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than a 10 percent interest in a business entity or other |
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organization: |
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(A) regulated by the commission; |
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(B) [or] receiving money from the commission; |
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or |
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(C) a significant portion of the operations of |
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which involves animals that are regulated by the commission; or |
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(4) uses or receives a substantial amount of tangible |
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goods, services, or money from the commission, other than |
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compensation or reimbursement authorized by law for commission |
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membership, attendance, or expenses. |
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SECTION 2. Section 161.022, Agriculture Code, is amended to |
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read as follows: |
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Sec. 161.022. TERM. Commissioners serve for staggered |
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terms of six years, with the terms of [four or] five members |
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expiring every other year. |
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SECTION 3. As soon as practicable before, on, or after the |
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effective date of this Act, the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension |
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Service shall adopt rules under Section 161.021(a-1), Agriculture |
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Code, as added by this Act. |
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SECTION 4. As soon as practicable after the Texas A&M |
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AgriLife Extension Service adopts rules under Section |
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161.021(a-1), Agriculture Code, as added by this Act, the governor |
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shall appoint the members of the Texas Animal Health Commission |
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under Sections 161.021(a)(12) and (13), Agriculture Code, as added |
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by this Act. The governor shall appoint one member to a term |
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expiring in September 2017 and one member to a term expiring in |
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September 2021. |
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SECTION 5. A public member of the Texas Animal Health |
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Commission who does not meet the qualifications for office under |
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Section 161.021(d), Agriculture Code, as amended by this Act, on |
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the effective date of this Act is removed from office on that date. |
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If a public member is removed as provided by this section, the |
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governor shall appoint a replacement to a term complying with |
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Section 161.022, Agriculture Code, as amended by this Act. |
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SECTION 6. This Act takes effect September 1, 2015. |