88R13633 MCF-F
 
  By: Gerdes H.B. No. 4495
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the authority of certain counties to order the
  microchipping of dogs; providing a civil penalty.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Chapter 822, Health and Safety Code, is amended
  by adding Subchapter F to read as follows:
  SUBCHAPTER F.  MICROCHIPPING OF DOGS IN CERTAIN COUNTIES
         Sec. 822.151.  APPLICABILITY. This subchapter applies only
  to a county with a population of less than 50,000 that is:
               (1)  located in a metropolitan statistical area as
  defined by the federal Office of Management and Budget with a
  population of more than two million; and
               (2)  adjacent to another metropolitan statistical area
  as defined by the federal Office of Management and Budget with a
  population of more than two million.
         Sec. 822.152.  ORDER TO MICROCHIP. (a)  The commissioners
  court of a county may adopt an order requiring each dog regularly
  located in the county that is owned by a county resident to be
  microchipped.  The order must specify:
               (1)  the time the owner has to microchip the dog after
  becoming the owner;
               (2)  any exemption from the requirement to microchip,
  including any exemption for a dog temporarily located in the county
  or for a medical reason; and
               (3)  any other matters the commissioners court finds
  appropriate.
         (b)  If another political subdivision located in the county
  adopts a microchipping requirement with more stringent standards
  than the county standards, the political subdivision's standards
  control within the political subdivision.
         Sec. 822.153.  CIVIL PENALTY. (a)  A person who violates an
  order adopted under this subchapter is liable for a civil penalty of
  not more than $200.
         (b)  The county attorney of the county in which the violation
  occurs may sue to collect a civil penalty.
         SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.