Bill Text: TX HB809 | 2015-2016 | 84th Legislature | Introduced


Bill Title: Relating to the composition of and qualifications for appointment to the Texas Animal Health Commission.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2015-04-22 - Left pending in committee [HB809 Detail]

Download: Texas-2015-HB809-Introduced.html
  84R3235 BEF-F
 
  By: White of Tyler H.B. No. 809
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the composition of and qualifications for appointment
  to the Texas Animal Health Commission.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 161.021, Agriculture Code, is amended by
  amending Subsections (a) and (d) and adding Subsection (a-1) to
  read as follows:
         (a)  The commission is composed of 15 [13] commissioners
  appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the senate,
  with the appropriate number from each of the following categories:
               (1)  a practitioner of veterinary medicine;
               (2)  a dairyman;
               (3)  a cattle raiser;
               (4)  a hog raiser;
               (5)  a sheep or goat raiser;
               (6)  a poultry raiser;
               (7)  an individual involved in the equine industry;
               (8)  an individual involved in the feedlot industry;
               (9)  an individual involved in the livestock marketing
  industry;
               (10)  three members of the general public; [and]
               (11)  an individual involved in the exotic livestock or
  exotic fowl industry;
               (12)  an individual who raises livestock, but not more
  than 20 animal units each year as provided by Subsection (a-1); and
               (13)  an individual who raises poultry, but not more
  than 100 birds each year.
         (a-1)  For purposes of Subsection (a)(12), the Texas A&M
  AgriLife Extension Service shall adopt rules to determine how many
  livestock of a species constitute an animal unit based on the amount
  of forage consumed by livestock of that species.
         (d)  A person is not eligible for appointment as a public
  member of the commission if the person or the person's spouse:
               (1)  is registered, certified, or licensed by the
  commission;
               (2)  is employed by or participates in the management
  of a business entity or other organization:
                     (A)  regulated by the commission;
                     (B)  [or] receiving money from the commission; or
                     (C)  a significant portion of the operations of
  which involves animals that are regulated by the commission;
               (3)  owns or controls, directly or indirectly, more
  than a 10 percent interest in a business entity or other
  organization:
                     (A)  regulated by the commission;
                     (B)  [or] receiving money  from the commission;
  or
                     (C)  a significant portion of the operations of
  which involves animals that are regulated by the commission; or
               (4)  uses or receives a substantial amount of tangible
  goods, services, or money from the commission, other than
  compensation or reimbursement authorized by law for commission
  membership, attendance, or expenses.
         SECTION 2.  Section 161.022, Agriculture Code, is amended to
  read as follows:
         Sec. 161.022.  TERM. Commissioners serve for staggered
  terms of six years, with the terms of [four or] five members
  expiring every other year.
         SECTION 3.  As soon as practicable before, on, or after the
  effective date of this Act, the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension
  Service shall adopt rules under Section 161.021(a-1), Agriculture
  Code, as added by this Act.
         SECTION 4.  As soon as practicable after the Texas A&M
  AgriLife Extension Service adopts rules under Section
  161.021(a-1), Agriculture Code, as added by this Act, the governor
  shall appoint the members of the Texas Animal Health Commission
  under Sections 161.021(a)(12) and (13), Agriculture Code, as added
  by this Act. The governor shall appoint one member to a term
  expiring in September 2017 and one member to a term expiring in
  September 2021.
         SECTION 5.  A public member of the Texas Animal Health
  Commission who does not meet the qualifications for office under
  Section 161.021(d), Agriculture Code, as amended by this Act, on
  the effective date of this Act is removed from office on that date.
  If a public member is removed as provided by this section, the
  governor shall appoint a replacement to a term complying with
  Section 161.022, Agriculture Code, as amended by this Act.
         SECTION 6.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2015.
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