The bill amends the Agriculture Code to enhance the Texas Animal Health Commission's authority in managing and eradicating diseases and pests affecting livestock and domestic animals. Key provisions include the commission's ability to protect animals from pests regardless of their presence in a county, updated requirements for the disposal of carcasses from animals that die from specified diseases or pests, and expanded authority to regulate feral swine holding facilities. Additionally, the bill establishes a disease and pest surveillance program for elk, mandates testing for diseases or pests at slaughter plants, and allows the commission to notify adjacent property owners of wildlife disease outbreaks or pest infestations.

Further amendments strengthen the commission's role by enabling it to classify areas for disease or pest control, pay indemnities to owners of affected livestock, and impose stricter regulations on the movement and sale of diseased or pest-infested animals. The bill also introduces new reporting requirements for veterinarians and diagnostic laboratories, clarifies the commission's authority to quarantine areas, and establishes penalties for improper carcass disposal and failure to report diseases or pests. Overall, these changes aim to bolster animal health management and public safety in Texas.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: ()
House Committee Report: Agriculture Code 161.003, Agriculture Code 161.004, Agriculture Code 161.007, Agriculture Code 161.009, 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 161.043, Agriculture Code 161.044, Agriculture Code 161.048, Agriculture Code 161.0525, Agriculture Code 161.054, Agriculture Code 161.0541, Agriculture Code 161.0542, Agriculture Code 161.055, Agriculture Code 161.056, Agriculture Code 161.057, Agriculture Code 161.058, 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 161.101, Agriculture Code 161.112, Agriculture Code 161.116, Agriculture Code 161.135, Agriculture Code 161.140, Agriculture Code 161.141 (Agriculture Code 161)