Bill Text: TX HB3482 | 2023-2024 | 88th Legislature | Introduced

NOTE: There are more recent revisions of this legislation. Read Latest Draft

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Bill Title: Relating to the possession of dangerous wild animals and live nonindigenous snakes in certain counties and municipalities; increasing criminal penalties.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2023-04-25 - Committee report sent to Calendars [HB3482 Detail]

Download: Texas-2023-HB3482-Introduced.html

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88R12412 MPF-D
By: Turner H.B. No. 3482

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the possession of dangerous wild animals and live
nonindigenous snakes in certain counties and municipalities;
increasing criminal penalties.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 822.103, Health and Safety Code, is
amended by adding Subsections (b-1) and (d) to read as follows:
(b-1) An animal registration agency may not issue a
certificate of registration for an animal under this subchapter if
possession of the animal violates a county order or municipal
ordinance in the county or municipality in which the animal is to be
kept.
(d) On issuance of a certificate of registration for an
animal under this subchapter, the animal registration agency shall
notify, in writing, the county or municipality in which the animal
is to be kept.
SECTION 2. Section 822.108, Health and Safety Code, is
amended to read as follows:
Sec. 822.108. INSPECTION. An owner of a dangerous wild
animal, at all reasonable times, shall allow the animal
registration agency, its staff, its agents, [or] a designated
licensed veterinarian, or an agent or officer of the county or
municipality in which the animal is kept to enter the premises where
the animal is kept and to inspect the animal, the primary enclosure
for the animal, and the owner's records relating to the animal to
ensure compliance with this subchapter.
SECTION 3. Section 822.113, Health and Safety Code, is
amended by amending Subsection (c) and adding Subsection (d) to
read as follows:
(c) Except as provided by Subsection (d), an [An] offense
under this section is a Class B [C] misdemeanor.
(d) An offense under this section is a Class A misdemeanor
if it is shown on trial of the offense that the defendant has been
previously convicted of an offense under this section.
SECTION 4. Section 43.851, Parks and Wildlife Code, is
amended by adding Subsections (b-1) and (f) to read as follows:
(b-1) The commission may not issue a permit for a
nonindigenous snake under this subchapter if:
(1) possession of the snake violates a county order or
municipal ordinance in the county or municipality in which the
snake is to be kept; or
(2) the snake is venomous and the necessary antivenom
is not readily available at a hospital within 50 miles of the
location where the snake is to be kept.
(f) On issuing a permit under this subchapter, the
commission shall notify, in writing, the county or municipality in
which the snake is to be kept.
SECTION 5. Section 43.852, Parks and Wildlife Code, is
amended to read as follows:
Sec. 43.852. INSPECTION OF PERMIT AND RECORDS. An
authorized department employee, or an agent or officer of the
county or municipality in which the snake is kept, may inspect at
any time and without a warrant a permit or any records required by
this subchapter.
SECTION 6. Sections 43.856(a) and (c), Parks and Wildlife
Code, are amended to read as follows:
(a) Except as provided by Subsection (b) or (c), a person
who violates this subchapter or a rule adopted under this
subchapter commits an offense that is a Class B [C] Parks and
Wildlife Code misdemeanor.
(c) If it is shown at the trial of the defendant for a
violation of this subchapter or a rule adopted under this
subchapter that the defendant has engaged in a commercial activity
without holding a required permit and the defendant has been
previously convicted of a violation of this subchapter or a rule
adopted under this subchapter, on conviction the defendant shall be
punished for a Class A [B] Parks and Wildlife Code misdemeanor.
SECTION 7. (a) Section 822.103, Health and Safety Code, as
amended by this Act, applies only to a certificate of registration
issued or renewed on or after the effective date of this Act.
(b) Section 43.851, Parks and Wildlife Code, as amended by
this Act, applies only to a permit issued on or after the effective
date of this Act.
SECTION 8. Section 822.108, Health and Safety Code, as
amended by this Act, and Section 43.852, Parks and Wildlife Code, as
amended by this Act, apply to an inspection conducted on or after
the effective date of this Act.
SECTION 9. Section 822.113, Health and Safety Code, as
amended by this Act, and Section 43.856, Parks and Wildlife Code, as
amended by this Act, apply only to an offense committed on or after
the effective date of this Act. An offense committed before the
effective date of this Act is governed by the law in effect on the
date the offense was committed, and the former law is continued in
effect for that purpose. For purposes of this section, an offense
was committed before the effective date of this Act if any element
of the offense was committed before that date.
SECTION 10. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.