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.