87(R) SB 705 - Enrolled version - Bill Text

	S.B.  No.  705

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	AN ACT
	relating to the continuation and functions of the Texas Animal
	Health Commission.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
	SECTION  1.    Section 161.004(a), Agriculture Code, is amended
	to read as follows:
	(a)    A person who is the owner or caretaker of livestock,
	exotic livestock, domestic fowl, or exotic fowl that die from a
	disease listed by the commission in rules adopted under [in]
	Section 161.041, or who owns or controls the land on which the
	livestock, exotic livestock, domestic fowl, or exotic fowl die or
	on which the carcasses are found, shall dispose of the carcasses in
	the manner required by the commission under this section.
	SECTION  2.    Section 161.023, Agriculture Code, is amended by
	amending Subsections (a) and (b) and adding Subsection (d) to read
	as follows:
	(a)    A person who is appointed to and qualifies for office as
	a member of the commission may not vote, deliberate, or be counted
	as a member in attendance at a meeting of the commission until the
	person completes a training program that complies with this section
	[Before a member of the commission may assume the member's duties
	and before the member may be confirmed by the senate, the member
	must complete at least one course of the training program
	established under this section].
	(b)    The [A] training program must [established under this
	section shall] provide the person with information [to the member]
	regarding:
	(1)    the law governing [enabling legislation that
	created the] commission operations;
	(2)    the programs, functions, rules, and budget of
	[operated by] the commission;
	(3)    the scope of and limitations on the rulemaking
	authority [role and functions] of the commission;
	(4)    [the rules of the commission with an emphasis on
	the rules that relate to disciplinary and investigatory authority;
	[(5) the current budget for the commission;
	[(6)] the results of the most recent formal audit of the
	commission;
	(5)  [(7)]    the requirements of [the]:
	(A)    laws relating to open meetings, public
	information, administrative procedure, and disclosing conflicts of
	interest [law, Chapter 551, Government Code]; and
	(B)    other laws applicable to members of a state
	policy-making body in performing their duties [open records law,
	Chapter 552, Government Code]; and
	[(C)    administrative procedure law, Chapter 2001,
	Government Code;
	[(8) the requirements of the conflict of interest laws
	and other laws relating to public officials; and]
	(6)  [(9)]    any applicable ethics policies adopted by
	the commission or the Texas Ethics Commission.
	(d)    The executive director of the commission shall create a
	training manual that includes the information required by
	Subsection (b). The executive director shall distribute a copy of
	the training manual annually to each member of the commission. Each
	member of the commission shall sign and submit to the executive
	director a statement acknowledging that the member received and has
	reviewed the training manual.
	SECTION  3.    Section 161.027, Agriculture Code, is amended to
	read as follows:
	Sec.  161.027.    SUNSET PROVISION. The Texas Animal Health
	Commission is subject to Chapter 325, Government Code (Texas Sunset
	Act). Unless continued in existence as provided by that chapter,
	the commission is abolished September 1, 2033 [2021].
	SECTION  4.    Section 161.029(a), Agriculture Code, is amended
	to read as follows:
	(a)    It is a ground for removal from the commission if a
	member:
	(1)    does not have at the time of taking office
	[appointment] the qualifications required by Section 161.021;
	(2)    does not maintain during service on the commission
	the qualifications required by Section 161.021;
	(3)    is ineligible for membership under Section
	161.021(d) or 161.028;
	(4)    cannot, because of illness or disability,
	discharge the member's duties for a substantial part of the member's