Texas H.B. 1324
OPPOSE HB 1324
Rep. Betty Brown of Kaufman County, Texas (home of horse slaughterhouse Dallas Crown Packing, Inc) has sponsored H.B. 1324, a bill that if passed would legalize horse slaughter in the state of Texas!
At this time, Sections 149.002 and 149.003 of the Texas Agriculture Code prohibits the sale, transfer or possession of horsemeat.
Texas HB 1324 will change existing laws to prohibit the sale, possession or transfer of horsemeat only if the horsemeat is sold, possessed or transferred for human consumption within the United States.
Horses slaughtered within the United States are processed at one of two Texas slaughterhouses - Dallas Crown Packing, Inc and BelTex Corp. Both slaughterhouses are under foreign ownerhip.
Passing HB 1324 will only serve foreign interests. The slaughterhouses do not sell horsemeat for human consumption within the United States, the horsemeat is exported out of the country to supply foreign meat markets.
Horses have played a significant role in American history and culture. Americans have used them for recreation, transportation, work, war and companionship for hundreds of years and continue to do so in this day and age. Horses, both domestic and wild, are living symbols of our heritage and deserve the same protection, if not more, that is afforded other animals not raised for food in the United States.
OPPOSE TEXAS HB 1324!
What HB1324 will do:
Amend the Texas Agriculture Code, Sections 149.002 and 149.003
Legalize the slaughter of horses for human consumption in the State of Texas
Permit foreign interests to decimate the American horse industry!
What you can do:
Call, write or fax your Texas State Representatives ASAP and tell them to OPPOSE HB 1324!
The following comprise the Texas Agriculture & Livestock Committee:
Rep. Rick Hardcastle (Chair)
District 68
Capitol Office: EXT E2.510
Capitol Phone: (512) 463-0526
District Address: 1930 Fannin, Vernon, TX 76384
District Phone: (940) 553-3825
Rep. Sid Miller (Vice Chair)
District 59
Capitol Office: EXT E2.906
Capitol Phone: (512) 463-0628
District Address: 6407 South US Hwy. 377, Stephenville, TX 76401
District Phone: (254) 968-3535
Rep. Betty Brown (B&O Chair)
District 4
Capitol Office: EXT E2.910
Capitol Phone: (512) 463-0458
District Address: P.O. Box 1508, Terrell, TX 75160
District Phone: (972) 524-7700
Rep. Lon Burnam (Member)
District 90
Capitol Office: EXT E2.708
Capitol Phone: (512) 463-0740
District Address: 1305 W. Magnolia, Suite C, Fort Worth, TX 76104
District Phone: (817) 924-1997
Rep. Delwin Jones (Member)
District 83
Capitol Office: CAP 3S.02
Capitol Phone: (512) 463-0542
District Address: 5609-A Villa Drive, Lubbock, TX 79412
District Phone: (806) 763-4468
Rep. James E. "Pete" Laney (Member)
District 85
Capitol Office: CAP 3N.05
Capitol Phone: (512) 463-0604
District Address: P.O. Drawer 900, Hale Center, TX 79041
District Phone: (806) 839-2478
Rep. David Swinford (Member)
District 87
Capitol Office: CAP 4N.03
Capitol Phone: (512) 463-0470
District Address: 724 South Polk, Suite 760, Amarillo, TX 79101
District Phone: (806) 374-8787
Capital Office mailing addresses for all members:
P.O. Box 2910, Austin, TX 78768
Make sure to state the following:
Your name, telephone number and home and/or business address.
I am a horse (owner, breeder, trainer, dealer, transporter, enthusiast).
I am a member of (horse organization, foundation, rescue, etc.).
I am TX business owner (if applicable, i.e. feed/tack shop, vet, etc.).
You OPPOSE HB 1324.
Please take action and help kill this bill! Horse slaughter is cruel, inhumane and unAmerican!
The Horse Slaughter Houses:
BelTex Corp.
3891 N. Grove St., Fort Worth, TX 76106
(817) 624-1136
Dallas CrownPacking, Inc.
2000 West Fair, P.O. Box 467, Kaufman, TX 75142
(972) 932-3436
Proposed Bill - TX H.B. 1324:
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the sale and slaughter of equine animals; providing a criminal penalty.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. § 149.002 and §149.003, Agriculture Code,
are amended to read as follows:
§ 149.002. SALE OR POSSESSION OF HORSEMEAT. A person
commits an offense if:
(1) the person sells, offers for sale, or exhibits for
sale horsemeat as food for human consumption in the United States;
or
(2) the person possesses horsemeat with the intent to
sell the horsemeat as food for human consumption in the United
States.
§ 149.003. TRANSFER OF HORSEMEAT. A person commits an
offense if the person:
(1) transfers horsemeat to a person who intends to
sell the horsemeat, offer or exhibit it for sale, or possess it for
sale as food for human consumption in the United States; and
(2) knows or in the exercise of reasonable discretion
should know that the person receiving the horsemeat intends to sell
the horsemeat, offer or exhibit it for sale, or possess it for sale
as food for human consumption in the United States.
Section 2. Subchapter A, Chapter 146, Agriculture Code, is
amended by adding Section 146.009 to read as follows:
§ 146.009. SALE OF EQUINE ANIMAL; NOTICE REQUIRED. (a)
In this section:
(1) "Equine animal" has the meaning assigned by
Section 161.149.
(2) "Livestock market" has the meaning assigned by
Section 161.111.
(b) The owner or operator of a livestock market shall
require that any person who sells an equine animal directly or on
consignment at the market sign an acknowledgment form stating that
an equine animal sold at the market may be bought for slaughter.
The owner or operator may incorporate the acknowledgement form into
any other forms a person is required to sign before selling an
equine animal at the market.
(c) An owner or operator of a livestock market commits an
offense if the owner or operator violates this section.
(d) An offense under Subsection (c) is a Class C
misdemeanor.
SECTION 3. Section 149.004, Agriculture Code, is repealed.
SECTION 4. (a) The change in law made by this Act applies
only to an offense committed on or after the effective date of this
Act. For purposes of this section, an offense is committed before
the effective date of this Act if any element of the offense occurs
before the effective date.
(b) An offense committed before the effective date of this
Act is governed by the law in effect when the offense was committed,
and the former law is continued in effect for that purpose.
SECTION 5. This Act takes effect September 1, 2003.
Legislation Enacted August 1991:
CHAPTER 149. SALE OF HORSEMEAT FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION
§ 149.001. Definition
In this chapter, "horsemeat" means the flesh of an animal of the genus equus.
Added by Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., ch. 16, § 2.01(a), eff. Aug. 26, 1991.
§ 149.002. Sale or Possession of Horsemeat
A person commits an offense if:
(1) the person sells, offers for sale, or exhibits for sale horsemeat as
food for human consumption; or
(2) the person possesses horsemeat with the intent to sell the horsemeat as food for human consumption.
Added by Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., ch. 16, § 2.01(a), eff. Aug. 26, 1991.
§ 149.003. Transfer of Horsemeat
A person commits an offense if the person:
(1) transfers horsemeat to a person who intends to sell the horsemeat, offer or exhibit it for sale, or possess it for sale as food for human consumption; and
(2) knows or in the exercise of reasonable discretion should know that the person receiving the horsemeat intends to sell the horsemeat, offer or exhibit it for sale, or possess it for sale as food for human consumption.
Added by Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., ch. 16, § 2.01(a), eff. Aug. 26, 1991.
§ 149.004. Prima Facie Evidence of Offense
In a prosecution under this chapter, any of the following is prima facie evidence of an offense:
(1) the presence of horsemeat in a retail store in which the meat of cattle, sheep, goats, or hogs is exhibited or kept for sale, unless the horsemeat is in a package or container of not more than five pounds and is plainly labeled "horsemeat";
(2) the presence of horsemeat in the wholesaler's establishment, warehouse, meat locker, meat cooler, or other place of storage or handling of the meat of cattle, sheep, goats, or hogs, unless the horsemeat is in a package or container of not more than five pounds and is plainly labeled "horsemeat";
(3) the presence of horsemeat mixed or commingled with the meat of cattle, sheep, goats, or hogs in hamburger, sausage, or other processed meat products;
(4) the transportation of horsemeat between the hours of 10 p.m. and 4 a.m., unless the horsemeat is in individual packages or containers of not more than five pounds and is plainly labeled "horsemeat";
(5) the presence of horsemeat in or the delivery or attempted delivery of horsemeat to a restaurant or cafe; and
(6) the presence of horsemeat in or the delivery or attempted delivery of horsemeat to an establishment that prepares, cans, or processes food products for human consumption from the meat of cattle, sheep, goats, or hogs.
Added by Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., ch. 16, § 2.01(a), eff. Aug. 26, 1991.
§ 149.005. Penalty
(a) An offense under this chapter is punishable by: (1) a fine of not more than $1,000; (2) confinement in jail for not less than 30 days nor more than two years; or (3) both the fine and confinement.
(b) A second or subsequent offense under this chapter is punishable by imprisonment in the institutional division of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice for not less than two years nor more than five years.
Added by Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., ch. 16, § 2.01(a), eff. Aug. 26, 1991.
§ 149.006. Injunction
On a conviction of an offense under this chapter, the court shall enjoin the defendant from slaughtering animals, selling meat, transporting meat, or in any manner purveying meat to the public as food for human consumption. Each day the injunction is violated constitutes a separate contempt.
Added by Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., ch. 16, § 2.01(a), eff. Aug. 26, 1991.
§ 149.007. Effect on Municipal Ordinances
a) Except as provided by Subsection (b) of this section, this chapter does not affect any provision of a municipal ordinance regulating the sale or possession of horsemeat or the licensing of horsemeat dealers.
(b) A municipal ordinance that directly conflicts with this chapter has no effect.
Added by Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., ch. 16, § 2.01(a), eff. Aug. 26, 1991.
Opinion No. JC-0539
Texas Attorney General's Opinion on Horse Slaughter (August 7,2002) can be found on the HOOFPAC Website.
OPPOSE TEXAS H.B. 1324!
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