Bill Text: TX HB309 | 2023-2024 | 88th Legislature | Introduced

Texas House Bill 309 (Prior Session Legislation)

Introduced

Bill Title: Relating to a refundable adoption fee for the sterilization of dogs and cats; authorizing a fee.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2023-02-23 - Referred to Public Health [HB309 Detail]

Download: Texas-2023-HB309-Introduced.html

	88R1824 SRA-F

	By: Goodwin	H.B. No. 309



	A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
	AN ACT
	relating to a refundable adoption fee for the sterilization of dogs
	and cats; authorizing a fee.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
	SECTION 1. Section 828.002, Health and Safety Code, is
	amended to read as follows:
	Sec. 828.002. REQUIREMENTS FOR ADOPTION. (a) Except as
	provided by Section 828.013, a releasing agency may not release a
	dog or cat for adoption unless:
	(1) the animal has been sterilized; or
	(2) the release is made to a new owner who signs an
	agreement to have the animal sterilized and pays a refundable $75
	fee.
	(b) The releasing agency shall:
	(1) collect the fee required under Subsection (a)(2)
	from each new owner who adopts a dog or cat that is not sterilized;
	and
	(2) refund the amount of the collected fee to an owner
	who provides to the agency the letter required by Section 828.005
	confirming the adopted dog or cat has been sterilized within the
	time required by that section.
	(c) Each releasing agency shall remit to the comptroller all
	fees not refunded under Subsection (b)(2) in accordance with the
	times and methods prescribed by the comptroller. The comptroller
	shall deposit the fees to the credit of the account created by the
	comptroller in the manner provided by Section 504.6012(b),
	Transportation Code. Money deposited to that account may be used
	only by the Department of State Health Services to award grants to
	eligible organizations for the purpose of providing sterilization
	services in accordance with Section 828.014.
	SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.