Updated List of Bills

The session is OVER. The below is for archival purposes only.

For the final bill tally click here.

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DEAD BILLS:

SB1845 Author: Van de Putte
Last Action:     DIED in committee without a hearing.
Caption:     Relating to the sterilization of dogs and cats; providing a penalty.
Companion:    HB 4277 Author: Menendez. DIED in committee without a hearing.
OPPOSE: This is a statewide mandatory spay/neuter bill.

HB 1982 Author: Martinez Fischer Read more about this bill
Last Action:      Hearing held County Affairs 4/6/2009 and several of our members testified. Not voted on — DEAD.
Caption:     Relating to the regulation of dangerous and vicious dogs; providing penalties.
OPPOSE: This bill is breed-specific legislation without being “BSL.” It would allow dogs to be declared “vicious” and face the same sanctions as “dangerous” dogs without ever being at large or physically harming anyone. Bans any off-lead activities for dogs over 40 lbs. in cities over 1M people.

HB 458 Author: Leibowitz – Read more about this bill
Last Action:   Did not get scheduled for a vote by the House. DEAD.
Caption:     Relating to limitations on the number of dogs at a residence in certain counties.
OPPOSE: Allows counties to impose dog limit laws in unincorporated areas, changing the rules on pet owners who have bought homes with no HOA or dog-related deed restrictions.

HB 925 Author: Dutton – Read more about this bill
Last Action:      DEAD DEAD DEAD! Never even got a committee hearing. DEAD.
Caption:     Relating to the handling of or caring for a pit bull breed of dog by certain minors; providing penalties.
OPPOSE: This is a breed-specific bill that is not necessary, as cities can already impose laws regarding juvenile delinquency.

SB 634 Author: Seliger Read more about this bill
Last Action:     Committee hearing was held 4-21 with testimony from 9 of our members, plus many other hunting clubs and other dog clubs. DEAD — the committee never voted on the bill.
Caption:     Relating to the unlawful restraint of a dog.
Companion:     HB 2001 Author: McCall. There was no action on the companion.
OPPOSE: Would prohibit tethering under any condition, mandates 150 sf kennel requirements even for short periods of time. Requirements are unreasonable for lower income and elderly dog owners and will result in more dogs at large and therefore dog bites.

We thank Rep. Mark Homer for trying to restore due process for pet owners and although we wish we could have passed this bill, we are thankful for his efforts:
HB 1046 Author: Homer – Read more about this bill. And another article about why it is needed.
Last Action:      Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence committee heard testimony 3/16 from our own members. The bill was voted out of committee on 4-22. It was never scheduled for a vote in the full house.
Caption:     Relating to the appeals process in the disposition of cruelly treated animals.
SUPPORT: Protects people and animals from incompetent or biased Justices of the Peace, but the bill should add a time limit for appeals.

HB 435 Author: Lucio III
Last Action: Not voted on by committee.
Caption: Relating to the penalty for theft of a pet.
SUPPORT: Because most pets have a low dollar value, there is virtually no punishment for stealing one. This bill seeks to correct this.

HB 1395 Author: Farrar
Last Action:    Not voted on in committee.
Caption Version:     Introduced
Caption:     Relating to the offenses of cruelty to livestock animals and cruelty to nonlivestock animals.

BILLS THAT ARE STILL ALIVE

HB 3180 Author: Thompson — NEED ACTION ON THIS BILL NOW.
Last Action:      Passed House – in Senate committee “suspended indefinitely.”  WOUNDED – HIGH PRIORITY!  Update: Texas Veterinary Medical Association (TVMA) Opposes. Read their statement.
Caption:     Relating to the licensing and regulation of commercial dog and cat breeders and the regulation of dog and cat dealers; providing penalties.
Companion:    SB 1910 Author: Whitmire – there was no action on companion.
OPPOSE: True commercial breeders are regulated by USDA regulations. Versions of this bill have been introduced in several states this year and are geared toward putting a stop to all hobby / show dog / performance dog breeding.

SB 2310: Author: Kuempel. HIGH PRIORITY – YOUR ACTION NEEDED NOW.
Relating to the powers and duties of the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, including the power to issue emergency orders and temporary and emergency licenses.
Last Action: This bill passed the House. The House did not approve the amendment, and a conference committee has been appointed to hash it out.  Rep. Kuempel had nothing to do with this amendment.
If this does not sound like a dog bill to you — it is not. A shorter version of the original Commercial Breeder Bill (HB 3180) was tacked onto this bill by Senator John Whitmire, which is really mostly about barbers. Read more about how this happened.

HB 2732 Author: Eissler | et al.
Last Action:    Passed House. Is in Senate Intergovernmental Relations Committee.
Caption:     Relating to the regulation of barking dogs by certain counties as a nuisance. Applies to Harris, Dallas, Travis, Bexar, Tarrant and probably Montgomery County.

SB 554 Author: Whitmire — Read more about this bill
Last Action:   Passed Senate & House.
Caption:     Relating to conduct constituting the offense of dog fighting and to the criminal and civil consequences of committing that offense.
Companion:     HB 1147 Author: Frost.  Not voted on in House.
OPPOSE: Criminalizes the ownership of “dog fighting equipment,” with the intent that the equipment be used to train a dog for fighting, including items common to show and working dog owners: harness, treadmill, cage, decoy, pen, house for keeping a dog, feeding apparatus or training pen. Intent is difficult to prove and would likely be applied selectively based on breed of dog.

HB 205 Author: Aycock
Last Action: This bill is going to the Governor.
Caption: Relating to the applicability of certain city requirements affecting the restraint of certain dogs on annexed or otherwise acquired property used for agricultural operations.
SUPPORT: Would exempt working livestock dogs from leash laws when their land is annexed by a city.

HB 853 Author: Laubenberg | et al.
Last Action: Passed House – in committee in Senate & scheduled for public hearing
Caption: Relating to inclusion of pets and other companion animals in protective orders; providing a penalty.
SUPPORT: Allows judges to include family pets in domestic violence protective orders.

HB 1472 Author: Jones
Last Action:     Passed House – in committee in Senate.
Allows a defense to animal cruelty prosecution for those who shoot dogs “harassing” livestock. Opposed by Texas Sheep & Goat Raisers Assn. and others.

HB 1320 Author: Christian
Last Action:     Passed House. Is in committee in Senate & scheduled for public hearing.
Caption:     Relating to the creation of offenses relating to cockfighting and to the forfeiture of cockfighting equipment.
Companion: SB 2282 Author: Ellis. No action taken.