The bill proposes the abolishment of the Texas Animal Health Commission and the transfer of its functions to the Department of Agriculture, as reflected in various amendments to the Agriculture Code. References to the Texas Animal Health Commission are deleted and replaced with the Department of Agriculture, which will now be solely responsible for managing animal health, including ensuring border security against pests and diseases, conducting livestock inspections, and overseeing disease control measures. The bill also modifies the Texas food system security and resiliency planning council by removing the requirement for a member from the abolished commission and clarifying the Department's authority in managing livestock health and biosecurity.

Additionally, the bill enhances the Department's regulatory capabilities by granting it authority over livestock movement, disease control, and the management of feral swine. It establishes requirements for testing, vaccination, and inspection of animals, as well as the ability to quarantine livestock and order the slaughter of infected animals. The bill emphasizes cooperation between the Department and local authorities in managing animal health and disease outbreaks, while also introducing penalties for non-compliance with regulations. Overall, the legislation aims to streamline animal health oversight under the Department of Agriculture, ensuring effective management of animal health and public safety in Texas. The effective date for this legislation is set for 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 (Health and Safety Code 435, Agriculture Code 23, Agriculture Code 148, Education Code 56, Agriculture Code 134, Agriculture Code 163, Government Code 418, Education Code 168, Occupations Code 801, Parks and Wildlife Code 43, Parks and Wildlife Code 66, Penal Code 28, Agriculture Code 71, Parks and Wildlife Code 12, Education Code 61, Agriculture Code 164, Agriculture Code 2, Tax Code 161, The heading to Subchapter C, Chapter , Agriculture Code 552, Agriculture Code 161, Tax Code 23, Agriculture Code 168, Agriculture Code 162, Parks and Wildlife Code 161, Agriculture Code 167, Health and Safety Code 81, Agriculture Code 147, Government Code 421, Agriculture Code 165, Parks and Wildlife Code 164)