88R3333 DIO-D
	By: Goodwin	H.B. No. 274

	A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
	AN ACT
	relating to the licensing and regulation of dog and cat breeders;
	expanding the applicability of an occupational license.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
	SECTION 1.  Section 802.002(8), Occupations Code, is amended
	to read as follows:
	(8)  "Dog or cat breeder" means a person who possesses
	five [11] or more adult intact female animals and is engaged in the
	business of breeding those animals for direct or indirect sale or
	for exchange in return for consideration [and who sells or
	exchanges, or offers to sell or exchange, not fewer than 20 animals
	in a calendar year].
	SECTION 2.  As soon as practicable after the effective date
	of this Act, the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation shall
	prescribe the forms and procedures necessary to implement the
	changes in law made by this Act.
	SECTION 3.  Notwithstanding Section 802.002(8), Occupations
	Code, as amended by this Act, a dog or cat breeder who possesses
	five or more but fewer than 11 adult intact female animals and is
	engaged in the business of breeding those animals for direct or
	indirect sale or for exchange in return for consideration is not
	required to hold a license under Chapter 802, Occupations Code, to
	act as a dog or cat breeder before January 1, 2024.
	SECTION 4.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Occupations Code 802.002 (Occupations Code 802)