H.B. No. 5356 amends the Local Government Code by adding Section 229.902, which grants municipalities limited authority to regulate activities involving horse-drawn carriages. Specifically, the bill prohibits municipalities from adopting or enforcing any ordinances, regulations, or measures that would prohibit or limit individuals from engaging in activities with horse-drawn carriages for business, educational, or entertainment purposes. However, there are exceptions to this rule; municipalities can still enforce regulations that were adopted before October 1, 2024, those that pertain to veterinary care, city inspections, or state animal cruelty laws, and those that address temperature limits for such activities.

The bill aims to ensure that individuals can freely engage in horse-drawn carriage activities while still allowing for certain regulatory measures to protect animal welfare and public safety. The act will take effect immediately if it receives a two-thirds vote from both houses of the legislature; otherwise, it will become effective on September 1, 2025.

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