Bill Text: TX HB3963 | 2015-2016 | 84th Legislature | Introduced

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Bill Title: Relating to establishment and functions of the Animal Welfare Commission.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2015-04-21 - Left pending in committee [HB3963 Detail]

Download: Texas-2015-HB3963-Introduced.html

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84R11630 SCL-F
By: Farrar H.B. No. 3963

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to establishment and functions of the Animal Welfare
Commission.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. ANIMAL WELFARE COMMISSION. (a) The Animal
Welfare Commission is created to study and provide recommendations
to the legislature regarding animal welfare issues, including the:
(1) regulation of the ownership of exotic animals;
(2) transfer of animal ownership from an owner to an
animal shelter after the shelter's acquisition of the animal;
(3) inspection of animal shelters;
(4) regulation of veterinarians under the Occupations
Code in relation to animal shelters;
(5) management of the coyote population in urban
areas;
(6) welfare of circus animals in this state;
(7) definition of "animal shelter" in Title 10, Health
and Safety Code;
(8) definition of "dangerous dog" in Title 10, Health
and Safety Code;
(9) efficacy of trap, sterilize, and return programs;
and
(10) protocols for animal euthanasia.
(b) The Animal Welfare Commission consists of the following
members:
(1) three members appointed by the governor, one of
whom must represent the interests of animal shelters and another of
whom must represent the interests of law enforcement in this state;
(2) the lieutenant governor or a designee of the
lieutenant governor;
(3) the speaker of the house of representatives or a
designee of the speaker;
(4) the commissioner of state health services or a
designee of the commissioner;
(5) the executive director of the Texas State Board of
Veterinary Medical Examiners or a designee of the executive
director;
(6) the executive director of the Animal Health
Commission or a designee of the executive director; and
(7) the executive director of the Parks and Wildlife
Department or a designee of the executive director.
(c) When making initial appointments under Subsection (b)
of this section, the governor shall designate one of the governor's
appointees as the presiding officer of the Animal Welfare
Commission.
(d) Each appointing official shall appoint members to the
Animal Welfare Commission not later than December 31, 2015.
(e) If a vacancy arises on the Animal Welfare Commission,
the vacancy must be filled as soon as practicable in the same manner
as the original appointment as provided by Subsection (b) of this
section.
(f) The Animal Welfare Commission shall meet not later than
the 30th day after the date the final initial appointment is made
under Subsection (b) of this section and shall meet regularly as
necessary at the call of the presiding officer.
(g) An Animal Welfare Commission member is not entitled to
reimbursement of expenses or to compensation.
(h) On the Animal Welfare Commission's request, the
comptroller of public accounts or a state agency, department, or
office shall provide any assistance the commission requires to
perform the commission's duties.
SECTION 2. REPORT ON ANIMAL WELFARE. Not later than January
1, 2017, the Animal Welfare Commission shall provide to the
governor, lieutenant governor, and speaker of the house of
representatives a final report on animal welfare in this state. The
report must include:
(1) recommendations for efficient and effective
solutions to the commission's charge, in addition to solutions to
other animal welfare issues identified by the commission;
(2) proposed legislation necessary to implement the
recommendations described by Subdivision (1) of this section;
(3) administrative recommendations; and
(4) a complete explanation of each of the commission's
recommendations.
SECTION 3. APPLICABILITY OF OTHER LAW. The Animal Welfare
Commission is not subject to Chapter 2210, Government Code.
SECTION 4. EXPIRATION. This Act expires and the Animal
Welfare Commission is abolished June 1, 2017.
SECTION 5. EFFECTIVE DATE. This Act takes effect September
1, 2015.