87R1592 MAW-D
 
  By: West S.B. No. 323
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the licensing and regulation of dog and cat breeders;
  expanding the applicability of an occupational license; requiring a
  review of fee amounts.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 802.002(8), Occupations Code, is amended
  to read as follows:
               (8)  "Dog or cat breeder" means a person who possesses
  five [11] or more adult intact female animals and is engaged in the
  business of breeding those animals for direct or indirect sale or
  for exchange in return for consideration [and who sells or
  exchanges, or offers to sell or exchange, not fewer than 20 animals
  in a calendar year].
         SECTION 2.  Not later than December 1, 2021, the Texas
  Commission of Licensing and Regulation shall review the fee amounts
  established under Section 802.052, Occupations Code, and adjust the
  amount of fees as necessary to ensure the fees are established in
  amounts sufficient to cover the costs of administering and
  enforcing Chapter 802, Occupations Code.
         SECTION 3.  Notwithstanding Section 802.002(8), Occupations
  Code, as amended by this Act, a dog or cat breeder who possesses
  five or more but fewer than 11 adult intact female animals and is
  engaged in the business of breeding those animals for direct or
  indirect sale or for exchange in return for consideration is not
  required to hold a license under Chapter 802, Occupations Code, to
  act as a dog or cat breeder before January 1, 2022.
         SECTION 4.  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.