BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	H.B. 3816
89R21704 PRL-D	By: Metcalf (Zaffirini)
	Criminal Justice
	5/21/2025
	Engrossed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

Under current law, cruelty to livestock animals is a criminal offense; however, the statute does not explicitly address the act of administering controlled substances to such animals. For example, the use of controlled substances in competitive horse racing has raised red flags among veterinarians, livestock regulators, and the Texas Racing Commission as these substances can mask injuries or artificially enhance performance, putting both the animals and their handlers at risk.

H.B. 3816 seeks to address this issue by explicitly making it a criminal offense to administer a controlled substance to any livestock animal unless it is in compliance with a valid prescription or order of a health care practitioner in the course of professional practice.

H.B. 3816 amends current law relating to prosecution of the criminal offense of cruelty to livestock animals.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Section 42.09(b)(7), Penal Code, to redefine "torture" to include the act of administering a controlled substance listed in Penalty Group 1 under Section 481.102 (Penalty Group 1), Health and Safety Code, unless the administration is in compliance with a valid prescription or order of a health care practitioner in the course of professional practice, and to make nonsubstantive changes.

SECTION 2. Makes application of this Act prospective.

SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 2025.