On this page, you can read more about our current animal-focused Legislative Priorities.

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THLN Priority Legislation

BILL: Ethical Pet Sales - HB 3458 / SB 1652, Rep. Patterson (District 106) & Senator Zaffirini (District 21)

Relating to the source of dogs and cats sold by pet stores; providing a civil penalty.

BILL: Veterinarian Telemedicine - HB 3364 / SB 1442 , Rep. Lopez (District 37) & Senator Johnson (District 16)

Relating to the establishment of a veterinarian-client-patient relationship. Allows for EVCPR (without having an in patient visit first)

BILL: Spay/Neuter License Plate Program - HB 3832 / SB 1568, Rep. Curry (District 56) & Senator Zaffirini (District 21)

Relating to the issuance of Animal-Friendly specialty license plates.

BILL: Spay/Neuter License Plate Grant Process - HB 3829 / SB 2125, Rep. Curry (District 56) & Senator Zaffirini (District 21)

Relating to the issuance of Animal-Friendly specialty license plates grant process.

Animal Bills We're Following

[PLEASE NOTE THAT THE BILL INFORMATION MAY CHANGE FROM TIME TO TIME DUE TO AMENDMENTS AND OTHER CHANGES TO THE BILL]

HOUSE BILLS

BILL: HB 285 - Rep. Ordaz (District 76)

Relating to the prosecution of the offense of cruelty to non-livestock animals. Adds a defense to criminal negligence if the conduct occurred by a veterinarian or a veterinarian’s assistant discharging their duties.

BILL: HB 349 - Rep. Flores (District 51)

Relating to civil liability for removing certain individuals or animals from a motor vehicle. Limits the civil liability of a person who rescues a dog or cat from a locked vehicle to prevent imminent harm to the animal.

BILL: HB 448 - Rep. Gervin-Hawkins (District 120)

Relating to a notarized affidavit requesting a municipal animal control authority to manage dangerous dogs and aggressive dogs in the municipality’s extraterritorial jurisdiction.

BILL: HB 471 - Rep. Rosenthal (District 135)

Relating to the intake and disposition records of animal shelters and releasing agencies. Requires animal shelters and humane organizations to keep detailed intake and disposition records of animals.

BILL: HB 562 - Rep. Gervin-Hawkins (District 120)

Relating to the regulation of licensed dog and cat breeders. Requires breeders to furnish a bill of sale with a statement that the breeder is regulated by TDLR.

BILL: HB 1436 - Rep. Gonzalez (District 75)

Relating to an animal cruelty public awareness campaign by the Texas Animal Health Commission.

BILL: HB 2012 - Rep. Bell (District 3)

Relating to regulation by certain counties of roadside or parking lot vendors and solicitors. Currently, only counties with a population of more than 1.3 million can regulate both the sale of live animals and the placement of a structure used to sell live animals in a parking lot or public roadway. This amendment intends to extend that ability to regulate to counties with a population of more than 600,000 that are adjacent to a county with a population of four million.

BILL: HB 2041 - Rep. King (District 88)

Relating to the criminal offense of passing certain vehicles on a highway. Regarding the criminal offense of passing certain vehicles on a highway, it adds a vehicle operated by an animal control officer or anyone else authorized for the purpose of removing animals or animal carcasses from a roadway.

BILL: HB 2090 - Rep. Martinez (District 39)

Relating to establishment of the disaster identification system for a declared state of disaster. Provides for an illuminated light display on animals to identify them in a disaster.

BILL: HB 410 - Rep. Rosenthal (District 135)

Relating to pet deposits or fees collected by landlords. Allows landlords to collect a one-time refundable $20 pet deposit or a $20 per month pet fee, but not both.

BILL: HB 1346 - Rep. Campos (District 19)

Relating to an attack by a dangerous dog; increasing a criminal penalty. It adds that the offense resulting in bodily injury is a Class B misdemeanor, a serious bodily injury offense would be a third-degree felony, and it would be a second-degree felony if the attack causes death.

BILL: HB 1720 - Rep. Gervin-Hawkins (District 120)

Relating to the creation of the criminal offense of trespass in a facility housing an animal and to restitution for property damage resulting from that trespass. Makes it a state jail felony if a person trespasses into a facility housing animals, such as a zoo, and harasses an animal in any way. It is a felony of the third degree if the animal is hurt in any way.

BILL: HB 1795 - Rep. Anchía (District 103)

Relating to increasing the criminal penalty for certain conduct constituting the offense of dog fighting or the offense of cock fighting. Increases the criminal penalties of cockfighting participants by escalating certain offenses from Class A misdemeanors to state jail felonies. Such offenses include permitting one's property to be used for cockfighting or training a cock with the intent that it be used in a cockfighting exhibition.

BILL: HB 1817 - Rep. Harrison (District 10)

Relating to the deregulation of certain activities and occupations. Repeals the Texas Dog or Cat Licensed Breeder Law

BILL: HB 1904 - Rep. Canales (District 40)

Relating to the release of a balloon and associated littering, creating a criminal offense. Other than for scientific research purposes and a few other minor exceptions, intentionally releasing more than 5 lbs or gallons of balloons outside would be punishable.

BILL: HB 2325 - Rep. Campos (District 119)

Relating to the establishment of a statewide dangerous dog registry. This bill would require the tracking of detailed information of dangerous dogs ,including the name and address of its owner, a photograph of the dog, proof that the dog is kept in a safe enclosure, proof of liability insurance, and more.

BILL: HB 2439 - Rep. Curry (District 56)

Relating to the abolishment of the Texas Animal Health Commission and the transfer of its functions to the Department of Agriculture.

BILL: HB 2653 - Rep. Bhojani (District 92)

Relating to the prohibited performance of certain procedures affecting cat claw functioning, providing a civil penalty.

BILL: HB 2731 - Rep. Muñoz (District 36)

Relating to the regulation of roadside vendors and solicitors in certain counties.

BILL: HB 2806 - Rep. Lujan (District 118)

Relating to an attack by a dangerous dog; increasing criminal penalties; creating a criminal offense.

BILL: HB 2823 - Rep. Louderback (District 30)

Relating to establishing a grant program for qualified medical expenses of retired law enforcement dogs.

BILL: HB 1614 - Rep. Johnson, Ann (District 134)

Relating to veterinary services performed on certain animals in the care of a releasing agency. Allows veterinarians at city shelters and humane organizations to perform non-emergency vet services (in addition to sterilizations) on animals owned for people with low income.

BILL: HB 2992 - Rep. Tepper (District 84)

Relating to the name and function of the rural veterinarian incentive program.

BILL: HB 3049 - Rep. Kerwin (District 58)

Relating to the designation of animal control officers as first responders.

BILL: HB 3155 - Rep. Simmons (District 146)

Relating to the disclosure of fees by certain landlords in residential rental application transactions.

BILL: HB 3303 - Rep. Chen-Button (District 112)

Relating to an exemption from sales and use taxes for exotic animals.

BILL: HB 3364 - Rep. Lopez (District 37)

Relating to the establishment of a veterinarian-client-patient relationship.

BILL: HB 3458 - Rep. Patterson (District 106)

Relating to the source of dogs and cats sold by pet stores; providing a civil penalty.

BILL: HB 3777 - Rep. Tepper (District 84)

Relating to requirements for the owner of a dog taken into custody by an animal control authority; authorizing a civil penalty.

BILL: HB 662 - Rep. Flores (District 51)

Relating to the adoption of cats and dogs previously used for research. Dogs and cats retired from research shall be offered for adoption through nonprofit animal organizations.

SENATE BILLS

BILL: SB 141 - Senator Hall (District 2)

Relating to the authority of a municipality or a property owners’ association to regulate the raising or keeping of chickens. Cities and HOA’s must allow residents of single-family residential lots to have at least six chickens.

BILL: SB 261 - Senator Perry (District 28)

Relating to the prohibited manufacture, processing, possession, distribution, offer for sale, and sale of cell-cultured protein.

BILL: SB 305 - Senator Perry (District 28)

Relating to the criminal offense of passing certain vehicles on a highway

BILL: SB 352 - Senator Eckhardt (District 14)

Relating to certain proceedings or procedures involving the disposition of certain contraband or abandoned, or unclaimed property. Changes the procedure for the seizure and forfeiture of dog fighting equipment.

BILL: SB 613 - Senator Hinojosa (District 20)

Relating to the regulation of the practice of veterinary medicine; increasing a civil penalty.

BILL: SB 716 - Senator Sparks (District 31)

Relating to the issuance of an occupational license to certain. Allows persons holding a valid veterinary license in good standing from another state to obtain a license to practice in Texas.

BILL: SB 822 - Senator Middleton (District 11)

Companion HB 1431 and SB 261