Sec. 147.023.  AMOUNT OF BOND.  (a)  Except as otherwise provided by this section, the amount of each commission merchant's bond must be equal to the nearest multiple of $1,000 that is more than twice the average amount of the commission merchant's sales and purchases of livestock on a business day during the preceding year or portion of a year in which the person engaged in business as a commission merchant.  The average amount of sales and purchases for one day is determined by dividing the total sales and purchases for the preceding year by 308, regardless of the actual number of business days.
(b)  A bond may not be in an amount less than $2,000.
(c)  If the amount equal to twice the average sales and purchases of a commission merchant on a business day exceeds $50,000, the bond must be in an amount equal to $50,000 plus 10 percent of the amount of sales and purchases in excess of $50,000.
(d)  If prior to filing bond a person has no previous sales and purchases on which to determine the amount of the bond, the bond must be in an amount adequate to cover the probable volume of business to be done by that person, as determined by the county judge of the county of the commission merchant's principal place of business.  After that person has engaged in business as a commission merchant for one year, the amount of the bond shall be determined as otherwise provided by this section.
(e)  If in the judgment of the county judge the condition of the business of a livestock commission merchant renders the bond inadequate, the county judge shall notify the livestock commission merchant and the commission merchant shall increase the bond to an amount determined adequate by the county judge.
Acts 1981, 67th Leg., p. 1380, ch. 388, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1981.