The bill proposes the dissolution of the Texas Animal Health Commission and the transfer of its responsibilities to the Department of Agriculture, as reflected in various amendments to the Agriculture Code. Key changes include replacing references to the "Texas Animal Health Commission" with the "Department of Agriculture," which will now oversee the management of livestock health, disease control, and inspections related to agricultural safety. The bill also modifies the structure of the Texas food system security and resiliency planning council by removing the requirement for a commission member and instead appointing representatives from food banks and nonprofit organizations. This transition aims to streamline animal health oversight and enhance the state's ability to manage agricultural and food security issues.

Additionally, the bill outlines the Department of Agriculture's expanded authority regarding animal health management, including the regulation of livestock movement, disease surveillance, and the handling of infected animals. It establishes procedures for quarantining affected areas and animals, as well as penalties for non-compliance with health regulations. The bill emphasizes the need for cooperation with federal agencies and local authorities in disease control efforts and mandates public hearings before adopting or amending rules. Overall, the legislation seeks to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of animal health management in Texas, consolidating authority under the Department of Agriculture while ensuring compliance with health standards. The bill is set to take effect on September 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Agriculture Code 2.006, Agriculture Code 23.002, Agriculture Code 71.0082, Agriculture Code 134.004, Agriculture Code 147.042, Agriculture Code 148.011, Agriculture Code 161.003, Agriculture Code 161.004, Agriculture Code 161.005, Agriculture Code 161.007, Agriculture Code 161.009, The heading to Subchapter C, Chapter , Agriculture Code 552.007, Agriculture Code 161.041, Agriculture Code 161.0411, Agriculture Code 161.0412, Agriculture Code 161.0415, Agriculture Code 161.0416, Agriculture Code 161.0417, Agriculture Code 161.042, Agriculture Code 161.043, Agriculture Code 161.044, Agriculture Code 161.0445, Agriculture Code 161.045, Agriculture Code 161.047, Agriculture Code 161.048, Agriculture Code 161.049, Agriculture Code 161.050, Agriculture Code 161.051, Agriculture Code 161.052, Agriculture Code 161.0525, Agriculture Code 161.054, Agriculture Code 161.0541, Agriculture Code 161.0542, Agriculture Code 161.0545, Agriculture Code 161.055, Agriculture Code 161.056, Agriculture Code 161.057, Agriculture Code 161.058, Agriculture Code 161.059, Agriculture Code 161.060, Agriculture Code 161.0601, Agriculture Code 161.0602, Agriculture Code 161.0603, Agriculture Code 161.061, Agriculture Code 161.0615, Agriculture Code 161.062, Agriculture Code 161.063, Agriculture Code 161.065, Agriculture Code 161.081, Agriculture Code 161.101, Agriculture Code 161.102, Agriculture Code 161.112, Agriculture Code 161.113, Agriculture Code 161.115, Agriculture Code 161.116, Agriculture Code 161.134, Agriculture Code 161.136, Agriculture Code 161.137, Agriculture Code 161.1375, Agriculture Code 161.138, Agriculture Code 161.139, Agriculture Code 161.140, Agriculture Code 161.1405, Agriculture Code 161.143, Agriculture Code 161.146, Agriculture Code 161.148, Agriculture Code 162.001, Agriculture Code 162.002, Agriculture Code 162.003, Agriculture Code 162.004, Agriculture Code 162.005, Agriculture Code 162.006, Agriculture Code 162.009, Agriculture Code 162.010, Agriculture Code 162.013, Agriculture Code 162.014, Agriculture Code 163.001, Agriculture Code 163.002, Agriculture Code 163.003, Agriculture Code 163.021, Agriculture Code 163.061, Agriculture Code 163.062, Agriculture Code 163.063, Agriculture Code 163.065, Agriculture Code 163.066, Agriculture Code 163.069, Agriculture Code 163.070, Agriculture Code 163.072, Agriculture Code 163.081, Agriculture Code 163.083, Agriculture Code 163.084, Agriculture Code 163.085, Agriculture Code 164.002, Agriculture Code 164.003, Agriculture Code 164.005, Agriculture Code 164.021, Agriculture Code 164.022, Agriculture Code 164.023, Agriculture Code 164.041, Agriculture Code 164.042, Agriculture Code 164.044, Agriculture Code 164.046, Agriculture Code 164.064, Agriculture Code 164.065, Agriculture Code 164.083, Agriculture Code 165.021, Agriculture Code 165.023, Agriculture Code 165.026, Agriculture Code 165.027, Agriculture Code 167.001, Agriculture Code 167.003, Agriculture Code 167.004, Agriculture Code 167.005, Agriculture Code 167.006, Agriculture Code 167.007, Agriculture Code 167.008, Agriculture Code 167.021, Agriculture Code 167.023, Agriculture Code 167.024, Agriculture Code 167.025, Agriculture Code 167.026, Agriculture Code 167.029, Agriculture Code 167.030, Agriculture Code 167.031, Agriculture Code 167.032, Agriculture Code 167.033, Agriculture Code 167.051, Agriculture Code 167.052, Agriculture Code 167.053, Agriculture Code 167.056, Agriculture Code 167.057, Agriculture Code 167.059, Agriculture Code 167.060, Agriculture Code 167.081, Agriculture Code 167.082, Agriculture Code 167.101, Agriculture Code 167.103, Agriculture Code 167.104, Agriculture Code 167.106, Agriculture Code 167.109, Agriculture Code 167.110, Agriculture Code 167.131, Agriculture Code 167.132, Agriculture Code 167.137, Agriculture Code 167.138, Agriculture Code 167.139, Agriculture Code 168.004, Agriculture Code 168.006, Agriculture Code 168.007, Agriculture Code 168.008, Education Code 168.003, Education Code 56.103, Education Code 61.9965, Government Code 418.190, Government Code 421.021, Health and Safety Code 81.008, Health and Safety Code 435.006, Occupations Code 801.256, Occupations Code 801.361, Occupations Code 801.403, Parks and Wildlife Code 161.101, Parks and Wildlife Code 12.0251, Parks and Wildlife Code 43.369, Parks and Wildlife Code 43.953, Parks and Wildlife Code 43.955, Parks and Wildlife Code 66.007, Penal Code 28.03, Tax Code 161.001, Tax Code 23.48, Tax Code 23.526, Tax Code 23.60, Parks and Wildlife Code 164.006 (Parks and Wildlife Code 161, Agriculture Code 134, Agriculture Code 2, Education Code 56, Agriculture Code 162, Government Code 418, Government Code 421, Occupations Code 801, Agriculture Code 167, Agriculture Code 71, Parks and Wildlife Code 43, Agriculture Code 161, Agriculture Code 164, Education Code 168, Parks and Wildlife Code 12, Penal Code 28, Health and Safety Code 435, Agriculture Code 163, The heading to Subchapter C, Chapter , Agriculture Code 552, Agriculture Code 23, Education Code 61, Tax Code 161, Health and Safety Code 81, Parks and Wildlife Code 164, Agriculture Code 147, Agriculture Code 148, Tax Code 23, Agriculture Code 168, Parks and Wildlife Code 66, Agriculture Code 165)