Sec. 162.014.  REVIEW OF CURRENT TUBERCULOSIS PROGRAMS AND IMPLEMENTATION OF IMPROVED PROGRAM.  (a)  The following agencies, colleges, and services jointly shall conduct a review of the state's current programs to research, control, and eradicate animal tuberculosis in both traditional and nontraditional farm and ranch animals:
(1)  the commission;
(2)  the Department of Agriculture;
(3)  the Texas Agricultural Experiment Station;
(4)  the Texas Agricultural Extension Service;
(5)  the Texas Animal Damage Control Service;
(6)  the Texas Department of Health;
(7)  the College of Veterinary Medicine, Texas A&M University;  and
(8)  the Texas Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory.
(b)  The Texas Agricultural Experiment Station is the coordinating agency for the review.
(c)  Each agency, college, or service conducting the review under Subsection (a) shall as part of its review seek the advice and opinions of persons who are involved in commercially raising or feeding traditional or nontraditional farm or ranch animals.  The Texas Agricultural Experiment Station shall ensure that persons who are involved in commercially raising or feeding traditional or nontraditional farm or ranch animals have ample notice of and opportunity to comment on the review's findings and that the comments of those persons are considered part of the review's findings.
(d)  The agencies, colleges, and services listed under Subsection (a) shall implement an improved program based on the review conducted under Subsection (a) that is designed to research, control, and eradicate animal tuberculosis in both traditional and nontraditional farm and ranch animals.  The agencies, colleges, and services shall agree on the elements of the improved program that will be implemented by each agency, college, or service.  The improved program may not conflict with current law.
Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 89, Sec. 1, eff. May 16, 1995.