Title AG, Agriculture Code

Sec. 148.065. FAILURE TO FILE BOND. (a) A person required by Section 148.042 of this code to file a bond commits an offense if the person engages in business as a slaughterer without filing bond in accordance with that section. (b) An offense under this section is a misdemeanor p…

Sec. 148.066. FAILURE TO KEEP OR PERMIT INSPECTION OF RECORDS. (a) A person required by Section 148.043 of this code to keep records commits an offense if the person: (1) fails to keep records as required by that section; or (2) refuses to permit inspection of those records at re…

Sec. 148.069. PURCHASE OF SLAUGHTERED CATTLE WITHOUT HIDE OR EARS. (a) A person commits an offense if the person purchases slaughtered cattle in violation of Section 148.045 of this code. (b) An offense under this section is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not less than $50…

Sec. 149.001. DEFINITION. In this chapter, "horsemeat" means the flesh of an animal of the genus equus. Added by Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., ch. 16, Sec. 2.01(a), eff. Aug. 26, 1991.

Sec. 149.002. SALE OR POSSESSION OF HORSEMEAT. A person commits an offense if: (1) the person sells, offers for sale, or exhibits for sale horsemeat as food for human consumption; or (2) the person possesses horsemeat with the intent to sell the horsemeat as food for human consum…

Sec. 149.003. TRANSFER OF HORSEMEAT. A person commits an offense if the person: (1) transfers horsemeat to a person who intends to sell the horsemeat, offer or exhibit it for sale, or possess it for sale as food for human consumption; and (2) knows or in the exercise of reasonabl…

Sec. 149.004. PRIMA FACIE EVIDENCE OF OFFENSE. In a prosecution under this chapter, any of the following is prima facie evidence of an offense: (1) the presence of horsemeat in a retail store in which the meat of cattle, sheep, goats, or hogs is exhibited or kept for sale, unless…

Sec. 149.005. PENALTY. (a) An offense under this chapter is punishable by: (1) a fine of not more than $1,000; (2) confinement in jail for not less than 30 days nor more than two years; or (3) both the fine and confinement. (b) A second or subsequent offense under this chapter is…

Sec. 149.006. INJUNCTION. On a conviction of an offense under this chapter, the court shall enjoin the defendant from slaughtering animals, selling meat, transporting meat, or in any manner purveying meat to the public as food for human consumption. Each day the injunction is vio…

Sec. 149.007. EFFECT ON MUNICIPAL ORDINANCES. (a) Except as provided by Subsection (b) of this section, this chapter does not affect any provision of a municipal ordinance regulating the sale or possession of horsemeat or the licensing of horsemeat dealers. (b) A municipal ordina…

Sec. 150.001. DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter: (1) "Fresh meat" means a quarter, half, or whole carcass of beef, pork, or mutton or a cut or other part of the carcass that has not been canned, cooked, or otherwise processed. (2) "Ground meat" includes fresh meat subsequently grou…

Sec. 150.002. LABELING OF IMPORTED FRESH MEAT. (a) A person may not knowingly sell at wholesale or at a retail store any imported fresh meat unless the person complies with the requirements prescribed by this section. (b) The requirements of Subsections (c) and (d) of this sectio…

Sec. 150.003. CRIMINAL PENALTY. (a) A person commits an offense if the person knowingly violates Section 150.002 of this code. (b) A first offense under this section is punishable by a fine of not less than $25 nor more than $200. A subsequent offense under this section is punish…

Sec. 150.011. DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter: (1) "Political subdivision" means a county or municipality or a school, junior college, water, hospital, reclamation, or other special-purpose district. (2) "State agency" means an agency, department, board, or commission of the stat…

Sec. 150.012. PURCHASE OF IMPORTED BEEF BY STATE AGENCY OR POLITICAL SUBDIVISION. (a) A state agency or political subdivision may not purchase beef or a product consisting substantially of beef that has been imported from outside the United States. (b) The Texas Department of Hea…

Sec. 151.001. DEFINITIONS. (a) In this chapter: (1) "Bison" means: (A) an animal known by the scientific name Bovidae bison bison, commonly known as the North American prairie bison; or (B) an animal known by the scientific name Bovidae bison athabascae, commonly known as the Can…

Sec. 151.002. LABELING OF BISON AND BUFFALO MEAT. (a) A person may not knowingly sell at wholesale, at a retail store, or in a restaurant any bison or buffalo meat except in compliance with this section. (b) The requirements of Subsections (c) and (d) apply only to bison or buffa…

Sec. 151.003. CRIMINAL PENALTY. (a) A person commits an offense if the person knowingly violates Section 151.002(a). (b) A first offense under this section is a Class C misdemeanor. A subsequent offense under this section is a Class B misdemeanor. (c) The Texas Department of Heal…

Sec. 152.001. TRAINING PROGRAM FOR HORSE OWNERS. (a) The Texas Agricultural Extension Service shall develop an ongoing training program for horse owners to promote the prevention of horse theft. The program must include information on visible, permanent identification of horses a…

Sec. 152.002. TRAINING PROGRAM FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES. (a) A state, county, or local law enforcement agency with responsibility for investigating horse thefts shall provide training for its employees likely to handle horse theft cases regarding: (1) state laws on horse thef…

Sec. 153.001. DEFINITIONS. In this chapter: (1) "Association" means the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association. (2) "Program" means the inspection program established by department rule under Section 153.002. Added by Acts 2017, 85th Leg., R.S., Ch. 500 (H.B. 2817), Se…

Sec. 153.002. ESTABLISHMENT OF PROGRAM. (a) The department by rule shall establish a cattle inspection program to discourage and investigate property crimes involving cattle in this state: (1) on request by the association; and (2) if a similar program authorized by federal law i…

Sec. 153.003. INSPECTIONS. Program rules must authorize the special rangers appointed under Article 2A.006, Code of Criminal Procedure, and other association employees designated by the special rangers, to inspect and record brands and other identifying characteristics of cattle …

Sec. 153.004. ASSESSMENT. (a) Program rules must establish a per-head regulatory assessment in an amount necessary to reimburse the association for direct costs incurred under this chapter. (b) In determining the amount of the assessment, the department shall consider: (1) the am…

Sec. 153.005. STATE OVERSIGHT. (a) The department must approve the association's budget for the program each year. (b) The department shall review and act on the association's budget for the program each year not later than the 45th day after the date the association submits the …

Sec. 161.001. DEFINITIONS. (a) In this chapter: (1) "Animal" includes livestock, exotic livestock, domestic fowl, and exotic fowl. (2) "Commission" means the Texas Animal Health Commission. (3) Repealed by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 604, Sec. 5. (4) "Exotic livestock" means grass-…

Sec. 161.002. CARETAKER OF ANIMAL. (a) A person is subject to this chapter as the caretaker of an animal and is presumed to control the animal if the person: (1) is the owner or lessee of the pen, pasture, or other place in which the animal is located and has control of that plac…

Sec. 161.003. DUTY OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT. (a) The commissioners court of each county shall cooperate with and assist the commission in protecting livestock, domestic animals, and domestic fowl from communicable diseases, regardless of whether a particular disease exists i…

Sec. 161.004. DISPOSAL OF DISEASED LIVESTOCK CARCASS. (a) A person who is the owner or caretaker of livestock, exotic livestock, domestic fowl, or exotic fowl that die from a disease listed by the commission in rules adopted under Section 161.041, or who owns or controls the land…

Sec. 161.005. COMMISSION WRITTEN INSTRUMENTS. (a) The commission may authorize the executive director or another employee to sign written instruments on behalf of the commission. A written instrument, including a quarantine or written notice, signed under that authority has the s…

Sec. 161.006. DOCUMENTS TO ACCOMPANY SHIPMENT. (a) If this chapter requires that a certificate or permit accompany animals or commodities moved in this state, the document must be: (1) in the possession of the conductor of a train and attached to the waybill of the shipment, if t…

Sec. 161.007. EXPOSURE OR INFECTION CONSIDERED CONTINUING. If a veterinarian employed by the commission determines that a communicable disease exists among livestock, domestic animals, or domestic fowl or on certain premises or that livestock, domestic animals, or domestic fowl h…

Sec. 161.008. STATE FUNDS REFORM ACT APPLICABLE. All money paid to the commission under this chapter is subject to Subchapter F, Chapter 404, Government Code. Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 554, Sec. 4, eff. Sept. 1, 1995.

Sec. 161.009. CONFIDENTIALITY OF BIOSECURITY AND OTHER SENSITIVE INFORMATION. (a) Except as provided by Subsections (b) and (c), information held by the commission is confidential and excepted from disclosure under Chapter 552, Government Code, if the information consists of or r…

Sec. 161.021. COMPOSITION. (a) The commission is composed of 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 c…

Sec. 161.022. TERM. Commissioners serve for staggered terms of six years, with the terms of four or five members expiring every other year. Acts 1981, 67th Leg., p. 1395, ch. 388, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1981. Amended by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 699, Sec. 2, eff. Aug. 30, 1993; Ac…

Sec. 161.023. MANDATORY TRAINING PROGRAM FOR COMMISSIONERS. (a) A person who is appointed to and qualifies for office as a member of the commission may not vote, deliberate, or be counted as a member in attendance at a meeting of the commission until the person completes a traini…

Sec. 161.024. PRESIDING OFFICER. The governor shall designate a member of the commission as the presiding officer of the commission to serve in that capacity at the pleasure of the governor. Acts 1981, 67th Leg., p. 1395, ch. 388, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1981. Amended by Acts 1995,…

Sec. 161.025. VACANCIES. The governor shall fill vacancies by appointment for the unexpired term. Acts 1981, 67th Leg., p. 1395, ch. 388, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1981.

Sec. 161.026. EXPENSES AND PER DIEM. Each commissioner is entitled to reasonable travel expenses incurred in performing official duties and to the per diem set in the General Appropriations Act for members of state boards and commissions. Acts 1981, 67th Leg., p. 1395, ch. 388, S…

Sec. 161.027. SUNSET PROVISION. The Texas Animal Health Commission is subject to Chapter 325, Government Code (Texas Sunset Act). Unless continued in existence as provided by that chapter, the commission is abolished September 1, 2035. Acts 1981, 67th Leg., p. 1395, ch. 388, Sec.…

Sec. 161.028. RESTRICTIONS ON COMMISSION APPOINTMENT, MEMBERSHIP, AND EMPLOYMENT. (a) In this section, "Texas trade association" means a cooperative and voluntarily joined statewide association of business or professional competitors in this state designed to assist its members a…

Sec. 161.029. REMOVAL OF COMMISSION MEMBERS. (a) It is a ground for removal from the commission if a member: (1) does not have at the time of taking office the qualifications required by Section 161.021; (2) does not maintain during service on the commission the qualifications re…

Sec. 161.030. SEPARATION OF AUTHORITY. The commission shall develop and implement policies that clearly separate the policy-making responsibilities of the commission and the management responsibilities of the executive director and the staff of the commission. Added by Acts 1989,…

Sec. 161.0305. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR; QUALIFICATIONS. The executive director must hold a degree in veterinary medicine. Added by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 665, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1999.

Sec. 161.031. PERSONNEL. (a) The executive director or the executive director's designee shall develop an intraagency career ladder program that addresses opportunities for mobility and advancement for employees within the commission. The program shall require intraagency posting…