BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 1348

By: Stucky

Agriculture & Livestock

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

In March 2021, the City of Austin, acting outside its statutory authority, approved an ordinance that regulated the practice of veterinarians within the city limits. This is part of an ongoing battle involving cities thwarting state law in order to create ordinances or regulations that are outside the scope of their authority. Veterinarians are licensed and well-regulated by the state. Allowing cities to operate outside of their stated statutory authority and make decisions without the necessary education or expertise on these issues creates a dangerous precedent for all state‑licensed occupations. H.B. 1348 seeks to prevent a patchwork of regulations for the practice of veterinary medicine in Texas by providing for a prohibition against a municipality regulating this practice.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

H.B. 1348 amends the Local Government Code to prohibit a municipality, unless expressly authorized by law, from adopting or enforcing an ordinance, rule, or regulation that does the following:

· regulates the practice of veterinary medicine; or

· prohibits a veterinarian from performing a procedure on an animal that is not prohibited under the Veterinary Licensing Act or other law.

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2023.