Four dog-related bills will be considered by Texas legislative committees this week. Information on each bill and legislator contact information is available, below. Texas residents are encouraged to share their thoughts on these bills with committee members.
On Tuesday, the Senate Criminal Justice Committee is set to consider SB 474, which would amend the state’s tethering statute. That day, the Senate Health and Human Services Committee will consider SB 552, which would require each animal control authority in the state to submit an annual report on dog bites that occurred during the previous year to the Department of State Health Services.
On Wednesday, the House Licensing and Administrative Procedures Committee will consider HB 3057, which would require breeders licensed under the state’s Dog and Cat Breeders Act to provide a purchaser a bill of sale and submit those bills of sale quarterly to the state Comptroller.
On Thursday, the House County Affairs Committee will consider HB 3798, which seeks to require local housing authorities with policies permitting pet ownership to comply with all applicable dangerous dog rules imposed by the state, including the state’s prohibition on breed-specific local legislation.
House Bill 3798 – AKC Position: Support
HB 3789 would require local housing authorities with policies permitting pet ownership to comply with all applicable dangerous dog rules imposed by the state, including the state’s prohibition on breed-specific local legislation.
AKC expects HB 3798 to be amended for clarity, and supports the bill as introduced and as expected to be amended. Texas residents are encouraged to contact the members of the House County Affairs Committee, which is scheduled to consider the bill on Thursday, April 15, at 10:30AM.
Rep. Garnet F. Coleman, Chair (Dist. 147 – Houston)
Dist. Phone: 713-520-5355
garnet.coleman@house.texas.gov
Rep. Lynn Stucky, Vice Chair (Dist. 64 – Denton)
Dist. Phone: 940-243-0230
Lynn.Stucky@house.texas.gov
Rep. Charles “Doc” Anderson (Dist. 56 – Waco)
Dist. Phone: 254-754-3892
charles.anderson@house.texas.gov
Rep. Jeff Cason (Dist. 92 – Bedford)
Capitol Phone: 512-463-0522
jeff.cason@house.texas.gov
Rep. Oscar Longoria (Dist. 35 – Mission)
Dist. Phone: 956-580-6944
Oscar.Longoria@house.texas.gov
Rep. Ray Lopez (Dist. 125 – San Antonio)
Dist. Phone: (210) 684-5419
Click here for a form to email Rep. Lopez.
Rep. David Spiller (Dist. 68 – Jacksboro)
Capitol Phone: 512-463-0526
david.spiller@house.texas.gov
Rep. Phil Stephenson (Dist. 85 – Wharton)
Dist. Phone: (281) 232-7900
Phil.Stephenson@house.texas.gov
Rep. John Turner (Dist. 114 – Dallas)
Dist. Phone: 214-234-7625
john.turner@house.texas.gov
House Bill 3057 – AKC POSITION: MONITOR
HB 3057 seeks to require breeders licensed under the state’s Dog and Cat Breeders Act to provide a purchaser a bill of sale, to include the name of the licensed breeder, the name of the purchaser, a description of the animal sold or exchanged, the date of the sale or exchange, and the amount paid. Additionally, licensed breeders would be required to maintain a copy of the bill of sale, and submit the bills of sale to the state Comptroller quarterly.
AKC is monitoring HB 3057. Texas residents interested in commenting on HB 3057 are encouraged to contact the members of the House Licensing and Administrative Procedures Committee, which is scheduled to consider the bill on Wednesday, April 14, and 10:30AM.
Rep. Senfronia Thompson, Chair (Dist. 41 – Houston)
Dist. Phone: 713-633-3390
Senfronia.Thompson@house.texas.gov
Rep. John Kuempel, Vice Chair (Dist. 44 – Seguin)
Dist. Phone: 830-379-8732
John.Kuempel@house.texas.gov
Rep. Drew Darby (Dist. 72 – San Angelo)
Dist. Phone: 325-658-7313
drew.darby@house.texas.gov
Rep. J.K. “Jake” Ellzey (Dist. 10 – Waxahachie)
Dist. Phone: (972) 938-9392
Click here for a form to email Rep. Ellzey.
Rep. Art Fierro (Dist. 79 – El Paso)
Dist. Phone: 915-629-9522
Art.Fierro@house.texas.gov
Rep. Charlie Geren (Dist. 99 – Fort Worth)
Dist. Phone: (817) 237-2251
Charlie.Geren@house.texas.gov
Rep. Craig Goldman (Dist. 97 – Fort Worth)
Dist. Phone: (817) 920-5912
Craig.Goldman@house.texas.gov
Rep. Ana Hernandez (Dist. 143 – Houston)
Dist. Phone: (713) 675-8596
ana.hernandez@house.texas.gov
Rep. Dan Huberty (Dist. 127 – Houston)
Dist. Phone: (281) 360-9410
dan.huberty@house.texas.gov
Rep. Leo Pacheco (Dist. 118 – San Antonio)
Dist. Phone: (210) 928-9023
leo.pacheco@house.texas.gov
Senate Bill 474 – AKC POSITION: MONITOR
HB 474 seeks to amend the state’s dog tethering law by not permitting a dog to be left outside and unattended by use of a restraint unless the owner provides the dog with adequate shelter, an area that allows the dog to avoid standing water, shade from direct sunlight, and potable water. Additionally, the bill would prohibit use of such restraints that are a chain; has weights attached; is shorter than five times the length of the dog or 10 feet, whichever is greater; is not attached to a properly fitted collar or harness; or causes pain or injury to the dog. The bill also provides many exceptions, including: for dogs tethered in a public camping or recreational area; tethering while the owner is engaged or training for activities conducted under a valid state licensed; tethering used while related to the business of shepherding, herding cattle or livestock, or cultivating agricultural products; and tethering while an owner engages in, or is training for, hunting or field trialing. The bill also allows for trolley type restraint systems.
AKC is monitoring SB 474. Texas residents interested in commenting on SB 474 are encouraged to contact the members of the Senate Criminal Justice Committee, which is scheduled to consider SB 474 on Tuesday, April 13, at 8:30AM.
Sen. John Whitmire, Chair (Dist. 15 – Houston)
Dist. Phone: 713-864-8701
john.whitmire@senate.texas.gov
Sen. Joan Huffman, Vice Chair (Dist. 17 – Houston)
Dist. Phone: 713-850-1981
Joan.Huffman@senate.texas.gov
Sen. Paul Bettencourt (Dist. 7 – Houston)
Dist. Phone: 713-464-0282
Paul.Bettencourt@senate.texas.gov
Sen. Brian Birdwell (Dist. 22 – Granbury)
Dist. Phone: 254-772-6225
Brian.Birdwell@senate.texas.gov
Sen. Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa (Dist. 20 – McAllen)
Dist. Phone: 956-972-1841
juan.hinojosa@senate.texas.gov
Sen. Borris L. Miles (Dist. 13 – Houston)
Dist. Phone: (713) 665-8322
borris.miles@senate.texas.gov
Sen. Robert Nicholls (Dist. 3 – Jacksonville)
Dist. Phone: 903-589-3003
robert.nichols@senate.texas.gov
Senate Bill 552 – AKC POSITION: MONITOR
SB 552 would require each animal control authority in the state to submit an annual report on dog bites that occurred during the previous year to the Department of State Health Services. The report would report incidents that resulted in bodily injury, serious bodily injury, or death of a person. For each incident, the report would: (1) detail the date and location of the incident; (2) the age of the victim; (3) the breed of the dog; (4) whether the incident resulted in bodily injury, serious bodily injury, or death; (5) whether the victim received emergency medical treatment or inpatient treatment at a hospital; (6) whether the dog was previously determined to be dangerous; (7) whether the dog has a previous bite history; and (8) whether as a result of the incident a person was charged with a criminal offense.
AKC is currently monitoring SB 552. Information often quoted as dog bite statistics are notoriously unreliable, and AKC believes the formalization of reporting requirements has the potential to provide reliable information upon which sound public policy may be based. However, breed identification as currently required by SB 552 could rely on visual identification by enforcement officials who may not be expert or appropriately trained to identify breeds or breed traits.
Texas residents interested in commenting on SB 552 are encouraged to contact the members of the Senate Health and Human Services Committee, which is scheduled to consider SB 552 on Tuesday, April 13, at 9AM.
Sen. Lois W. Kolkhorst, Chair (Dist. 18 – Brenham) – Bill Sponsor
Dist. Phone: (979) 251-7888
Lois.Kolkhorst@senate.texas.gov
Sen. Charles Perry, Vice Chair (Dist. 28 – Lubbock)
Dist. Phone: (806) 783-9934
charles.perry@senate.texas.gov
Sen. César Blanco (Dist. 29 – El Paso)
Dist. Phone: 915-599-9807
Cesar.Blanco@senate.texas.gov
Sen. Dawn Buckingham (Dist. 24 – Lakeway)
Dist. Phone: (325) 691-7284
dawn.buckingham@senate.texas.gov
Sen. Donna Campbell (Dist. 25 – New Braunfels)
Dist. Phone: (830) 626-0065
donna.campbell@senate.texas.gov
Sen. Bob Hall (Dist. 2 – Edgewood)
Dist. Phone: 972-722-3131
bob.hall@senate.texas.gov
Sen. Borris L. Miles (Dist. 13 – Houston)
Dist. Phone: (713) 665-8322
borris.miles@senate.texas.gov
Sen. Beverly Powell (Dist. 10 – Burleson)
Dist. Address: 817-820-0007
beverly.powell@senate.texas.gov
Sen. Kel Seliger (Dist. 31 – Amarillo)
Dist. Phone: 806-374-8994
kel.seliger@senate.texas.gov
AKC Government Relations (AKC GR) will continue to provide action alerts and updates on Texas legislation impacting dogs and dog owners. For more information, contact AKC GR at doglaw@akc.org.