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House Bill 1361 |
House Author: Hardcastle et al. |
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Effective: 9-1-05 |
Senate Sponsor: Jackson, Mike |
House Bill 1361 amends the Agriculture Code to authorize the Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) to develop and implement an animal identification program that is consistent with the National Animal Identification System of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The TAHC may recognize three types of official identification numbers: individual animal identification numbers, group identification numbers, and premises identification numbers assigned to geographically unique locations associated with animal agriculture. The TAHC may require the use of numbers assigned under the program for animal disease control, emergency management, and other TAHC programs. The TAHC may set a deadline by which all premises must be registered and may assess a registration fee for entities that register for a premises identification number. Information collected by the TAHC under the legislation is exempt from public disclosure under the open records law. The bill authorizes release of information to certain parties and under certain circumstances and requires release by the TAHC if necessary for emergency management purposes under the Texas Disaster Act of 1975. Release does not alter the information's confidential status. The bill authorizes the TAHC to adopt rules relating to the program and establishes a Class C misdemeanor offense for failure to comply with a rule or order.