S.B. No. 876

	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.  Sections 802.005(a) and (b), Occupations Code,
	are amended to read as follows:
	(a)  This section applies only to a dog bred with the intent
	that it be used primarily for:
	(1)  herding livestock, as defined by Section 1.003,
	Agriculture Code, or other agricultural uses;
	(2)  hunting, including tracking, chasing, pointing,
	flushing, or retrieving game; or
	(3)  competing in field trials, hunting tests, breed or
	conformation shows, or similar organized performance events.
	(b)  This chapter does not apply to a person to the extent the
	person breeds dogs described by Subsection (a) for a [personal] use
	described by Subsection (a). A person described by this subsection
	may conduct direct or indirect sales or exchanges in return for
	consideration of dogs described by Subsection (a).
	SECTION 3.  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 4.  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 5.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.
	______________________________	______________________________
	President of the Senate	Speaker of the House
	I hereby certify that S.B. No. 876 passed the Senate on
	April 24, 2023, by the following vote: Yeas 22, Nays 8; and that
	the Senate concurred in House amendment on May 16, 2023, by the
	following vote: Yeas 23, Nays 8.
	______________________________
	Secretary of the Senate
	I hereby certify that S.B. No. 876 passed the House, with
	amendment, on May 11, 2023, by the following vote: Yeas 119,
	Nays 23, one present not voting.
	______________________________
	Chief Clerk of the House
	Approved:
	______________________________
	Date
	______________________________
	Governor

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Occupations Code 802.002 (Occupations Code 802)
Senate Committee Report: Occupations Code 802.002, Occupations Code 802.005 (Occupations Code 802)
Engrossed: Occupations Code 802.002, Occupations Code 802.005 (Occupations Code 802)
House Committee Report: Occupations Code 802.002, Occupations Code 802.005 (Occupations Code 802)
Enrolled: Occupations Code 802.002, Occupations Code 802.005 (Occupations Code 802)