HBA-BSM H.B. 1686 77(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 1686
By: Kolkhorst
Agriculture & Livestock
2/26/2001
Introduced



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Currently, the Texas Animal Health Commission (commission) has a list of
diseases that should be reported to the commission within 24 hours of a
diagnosis.  House Bill 1686 requires a veterinarian to report the existence
of specified diseases to the commission within 24 hours after diagnosis,
and authorizes the commission to require veterinarians to report other
diseases. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does
not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, department, agency, or institution. 

ANALYSIS

House Bill 1686 amends the Agriculture Code to require veterinarians to
report specified diseases  among livestock, exotic livestock, domestic
fowl, or exotic livestock to the Texas Animal Health Commission
(commission) within 24 hours of diagnosis of the disease.  The bill
authorizes the commission to adopt rules that require a veterinarian to
report a disease that is not covered on the specified disease list if the
commission determines that action is necessary for the protection of animal
health in the state.  

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or if the Act does not receive the necessary vote, the Act
takes effect September 1, 2001.