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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the regulation of livestock export-import processing |
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facilities; creating a criminal offense. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter C, Chapter 161, Agriculture Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 161.0603 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 161.0603. REGULATION OF EXPORT-IMPORT PROCESSING |
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FACILITIES. (a) In this section, "export-import facility" means a |
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public or private livestock export-import processing facility, |
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including department facilities, established in Subchapter B of |
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Chapter 146, Texas Agriculture Code, that is a land border port in |
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this state with the capacity to receive and hold livestock and |
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livestock products for transportation in international trade. |
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(b) A person as owner or person in charge of an |
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export-import facility shall notify the commission within 24 hours |
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of an animal received or held at the facility being refused export |
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out of this state or entry into another country. |
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(c) If an authorized commission employee considers it |
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necessary, the commission may require an animal held at an |
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export-import facility be tested or treated for a disease or pest. |
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The commission may require the testing or treatment before the |
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animal is removed from the export-import facility. The state may |
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not be required to pay the cost of fees charged for the testing or |
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treatment. |
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(d) The commission may, for disease or pest control |
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purposes, adopt any rules necessary to carry out the purpose of this |
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subchapter, including rules regarding reporting requirements, |
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recordkeeping, movement, inspections, testing, and treatment. |
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(e) A person commits an offense if the person knowingly |
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moves an animal in violation of a rule adopted under this section. |
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(f) An offense under this section is a Class C misdemeanor |
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unless it is shown on the trial of the offense that the defendant |
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was previously convicted under this section, in which event the |
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offense is a Class B misdemeanor. |
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SECTION 2. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives |
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a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as |
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provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this |
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Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this |
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Act takes effect September 1, 2021. |