By: González of El Paso, et al. H.B. No. 1958
        (Senate Sponsor - Springer)
         (In the Senate - Received from the House April 19, 2021;
  May 4, 2021, read first time and referred to Committee on Water,
  Agriculture & Rural Affairs; May 13, 2021, reported favorably by
  the following vote:  Yeas 8, Nays 0; May 13, 2021, sent to printer.)
Click here to see the committee vote
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
 
  relating to the regulation of livestock export-import processing
  facilities; creating a criminal offense.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Subchapter C, Chapter 161, Agriculture Code, is
  amended by adding Section 161.0445 to read as follows:
         Sec. 161.0445.  REGULATION OF EXPORT-IMPORT PROCESSING
  FACILITIES. (a) In this section, "export-import facility" means a
  public or private livestock export-import processing facility that
  is a land border port in this state with the capacity to receive and
  hold livestock and livestock products for transportation in
  international trade. The term includes a department facility
  authorized by Subchapter B, Chapter 146.
         (b)  The owner or person in charge of an export-import
  facility shall notify the commission not later than 24 hours after
  an animal received or held at the facility is refused export out of
  this state or entry into another country.
         (c)  The commission may require that an animal held at an
  export-import facility be tested or treated for a disease or pest if
  an authorized commission employee considers the test or treatment
  necessary. The commission may require the testing or treatment be
  performed before the animal is removed from the export-import
  facility. This state is not liable for the amount of any fee
  charged for the testing or treatment.
         (d)  The commission may, for disease or pest control
  purposes, adopt rules necessary to implement, administer, and
  enforce this section. The rules may include reporting and
  recordkeeping requirements and provisions governing the movement,
  inspection, testing, or treatment of animals.
         (e)  A person commits an offense if the person knowingly
  moves an animal in violation of a rule adopted under this section.
         (f)  An offense under this section is a Class C misdemeanor,
  except that the offense is a Class B misdemeanor if it is shown on
  the trial of the offense that the defendant has been previously
  convicted under this section.
         SECTION 2.  Section 161.0445(b), Agriculture Code, as added
  by this Act, applies to an owner or person in charge of an
  export-import facility beginning on the 30th day after the
  effective date of this Act or on a later date provided by an order
  issued by the executive director of the Texas Animal Health
  Commission.
         SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
  a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
  provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
  Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
  Act takes effect September 1, 2021.
 
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