Texas Legislative Overview – 2023 Session
TEXAS
Legislative Overview – 2023 Session
(Adjourned on May 29, 2023)
42 pet-related items were proposed during the 2023 legislative session, 27 of which were designated as priority by the Pet Advocacy Network.
Final Disposition of Priority ISSUES:
| BILL # | SUMMARY | FINAL DISPOSITION |
| HB 66 | Kennel Fire Sprinkler System Requirement: Amends Title 10 (Health & Safety of Animals) of TX Health & Safety Code by adding a new Chapter 824 (Kennels) to require smoke or similar fire detection systems (must include fire sprinkler systems) in kennels. | DIED IN COMMITTEE |
| HB 598 | Animal Cruelty/Pet Ownership Prohibition: Amends Chapter 42 (Disorderly Conduct & Related Offenses) of TX Penal Code to create the criminal offense of possession of an animal by a person previously convicted of an offense involving animal cruelty. | ENACTED |
| HB 870/SB 1989 | Statewide Shelter-Rescue Model Dog and Cat Sales: Amends Title 6 of Texas Business & Commerce Code by adding a new Chapter 206 (Sale of Dogs and Cats by Pet Stores) to regulate the retail sale and sourcing of dogs and cats by pet stores. | DIED IN COMMITTEE |
| HB 978 | Animal Cruelty – Pet Groomer Liability: Amends Title 10 (Health & Safety Code) of Texas Statutes by adding a new Chapter 830 (Pet Groomers) to create a criminal offense and provide civil penalties for pet cruelty by a pet groomer. | DIED IN COMMITTEE |
| HB 1458 | Animal Shelter Intake/Disposition Recordkeeping Requirements: Amends Chapter 823 (Animal Shelters) of TX Health & Safety Code to add releasing agencies to the chapter and to provide intake and disposition recordkeeping requirements for animal shelter and releasing agencies. | DIED IN COMMITTEE |
| HB 1560/SB 1414 | Regulation of Veterinary Medicine: Amends Chapter 801 (Veterinarians) of TX Occupations Code by adding a new Subchapter A-1 (Regulation by TX Department of Licensing & Regulation) to provide for regulation of the practice of veterinary medicine by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. | SB 1414 ENACTED |
| HB 2127/SB 814 | State Preemption over Municipal/County Regulations: The “Texas Regulatory Consistency Act” amends Texas Agriculture Code, TX Civil Practice & Remedies Code, TX Natural Resources Code, TX Finance Code, TX Labor Code and TX Insurance Code to provide for state preemption of certain municipal and county regulations (to include retail sale of dogs and cats). | HB 2127 ENACTED |
| HB 2238/SB 876 | Occupational Licensing – Definition of “dog or cat breeder” amendment: Amends Chapter 802 (Dog or Cat Breeders) of TX Occupations Code by amending the definition of “dog or cat breeder” to expand the applicability of an occupational license. | SB 876 ENACTED |
| HB 3049/SB 1523 | State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners – Liability Claims: Amends Chapter 801 (Veterinarians), Subchapter E (Public Access & Information; Complaint Procedures) of Texas Occupations Code by adding a new Section 801.2052 relating to the dismissal of a baseless or unfounded complaint filed with the State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners. | SB 1523 ENACTED |
| HB 3210/SB 1596 | Task Force – “Proliferation of Carryout Plastic Bags”: Amends Texas Health & Occupations Code by adding a new Chapter 375 (Texas Cleaner Landscapes for the Economy, Agriculture & Nature Advisory Council) to address the proliferation of carryout bags. | DIED IN COMMITTEE |
| HB 3563 | Pet Store Dog and Cat Sale Sourcing Restrictions: Amends Title 6 of Texas Business & Commerce Code by adding a new Chapter 205 (Sale of Dogs and Cats by Pet Stores) to regulate the retail sale and sourcing of dogs and cats by pet stores. | DIED IN COMMITTEE |
| HB 3587 | Releasing Agency Mandatory Sterilization Requirement: Amends Texas Health & Safety Code by adding a new Chapter 828A (Required Sterilization of Certain Animals) to require sterilization of adult animals seized and placed in the custody of a releasing agency more than once. | DIED IN COMMITTEE |
| HB 3854 | Animal Cruelty/Animal Possession Prohibition: Amends Chapter 42 (Disorderly Conduct and Related Offenses) of TX Penal Code by adding two new sections: 1) Creating the criminal offense of possession of an animal by a person convicted of multiple offenses involving animal cruelty; and 2) Providing for conditions of punishment and community supervision for defendants convicted of certain criminal offenses involving animals. | DIED IN COMMITTEE |
| HB 4069 | Veterinarian Price Disclosure Requirement: Amends Title 4 (Professions Related to Animals), Chapter 801 (Veterinarians), Subchapter H (Practice by Veterinarian) of Texas Occupations Code to require disclosure of prices by a veterinarian before providing emergency treatment to an ill or injured animal. | ENACTED |
| HB 4280 | State Preemption – Local Pet Sale Ban Ordinance Prohibition: Amends Chapter 802 (Dog or Cat Breeders) of Texas Occupations Code by adding a new Section 802.0031 (Sale of Dog or Cat by For-Profit Business; Preemption) to prohibit local or municipal pet sale ban ordinances. | DIED IN COMMITTEE |
| HB 4816 | Rabies Report/Quarantine Requirement – Dogs, Cats and Ferrets: Amends Chapter 826 (Rabies), Subchapter E (Reports & Quarantine) of Texas Health & Safety Code by adding a new Section 826.0425 to prohibit the requirement of a rabies report on or quarantine of certain domesticated dogs, cats, and ferrets. | DIED IN COMMITTEE |
| HB 5206 | Misrepresentation of Support/Assistance Animals: Amends Chapter 121 (Participation in Social and Economic Activities), Sections 121.002 (Definitions) and 121.006 (Penalties for Improper Use of Assistance Animals) of Texas Human Resources Code to: (1) Define “emotional support animal”; (2) Increase the fine for misrepresentation of an assistance animal; and (3) Provide certain restrictions for persons or businesses selling emotional support animal vests, certificates, tags and leashes. | DIED ON HOUSE CALENDAR |
| ORD 2022001 | San Marcos Shelter-Rescue Model Dog and Cats Sales Ordinance: Ordinance No. 2023-96 amends Chapter 6 (Animals) of the San Marcos, TX Code of Ordinances by adding a new Section 6.065 (Sale of dog or cat by pet store) to restrict the retail sale of dogs and cats in city pet stores. | ADOPTED |
| ORD 2023001 | Corpus Christi Pet Sale Ban Ordinance: Ordinance No. 23-0304 amends Chapter 6 (Animal Care & Control), Article III (Commercial Permits & Fees), Section 6-57 (Pet Shop Requirements) of Corpus Christi, TX Municipal Code to prohibit the retail sale of dogs and cats in city pet shops. | ADOPTED |
| ORD 2023002 | Wylie Pet Sale Ban Ordinance: Ordinance No. 2023-10 amends Chapter 18 (Animals), Article II (Dogs and Cats), Division 1 (Generally) of Wylie, TX Code of Ordinances by adding a new Section 18-42 to prohibit the sale of dogs and cats by retail pet stores. | ADOPTED |
| ORD 2023003 | Grand Prairie Pet Sale Ban Ordinance: Ordinance amends Chapter 5 (Animal Services), Article VI (Miscellaneous) of the Grand Prairie, TX Code of Ordinances by adding a new Section 5-65 (Prohibited Sale of Dogs or Cats) to prohibit the sale of dogs and cats at a location other than where the cat or dog was born. | ADOPTED |
View ALL Texas legislation tracked by the Pet Advocacy Network during the 2023 session.
View ALL local ordinances tracked by the Pet Advocacy Network during the 2023 session.
View ALL federal and state issues tracked by the Pet Advocacy Network during the 2023-24 session.