86R274 TSR-D
 
  By: White H.B. No. 2596
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the regulation of raising or keeping six or fewer
  chickens by a political subdivision.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  The heading to Chapter 251, Agriculture Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
  CHAPTER 251.  EFFECT OF NUISANCE ACTIONS AND GOVERNMENTAL
  REQUIREMENTS ON CERTAIN [PREEXISTING] AGRICULTURAL OPERATIONS
         SECTION 2.  Chapter 251, Agriculture Code, is amended by
  adding Section 251.007 to read as follows:
         Sec. 251.007.  SIX CHICKENS ALLOWED. (a)  Notwithstanding
  any other law and except as provided by Subsection (b), a political
  subdivision may not impose a governmental requirement that
  prohibits an individual from raising or keeping six or fewer
  chickens in the boundaries of the political subdivision.
         (b)  A municipality may impose reasonable governmental
  requirements on the raising or keeping of poultry in the boundaries
  of the municipality that do not have the effect of prohibiting the
  raising or keeping of six or fewer chickens, including:
               (1)  a limit on the number of chickens an individual may
  raise or keep in excess of six;
               (2)  a prohibition on breeding poultry;
               (3)  a prohibition on raising or keeping roosters; or
               (4)  the minimum distance an individual must maintain
  between a chicken coop and a residential structure.
         (c)  A governmental requirement adopted by a political
  subdivision that violates Subsection (a) is void.
         SECTION 3.  Section 251.007, Agriculture Code, as added by
  this Act, applies to a governmental requirement adopted before, on,
  or after the effective date of this Act.
         SECTION 4.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2019.