Texas HB47 Alert!

From Mike Kelley with www.texasanimalhealthcommissionwatch.com

Texas Representative Bryan Hughes representing District 5; which includes Camp, Harrison, Upshur and Woods counties has introduced HB 47. HB 47 would in affect repeal HB 1361. HB 47 would only authorize TAHC to create a voluntary NAIS program consistent with a USDA program, if such a program is ever officially enacted. This bill would also require that those who wish to enroll pay fees to support said program.

Members of various organizations to include Farm and Ranch Freedom Alliance (FARFA) will be working with Representative Hughes to fine tune this bill to include additional measures, to protect the interest of individual livestock/ pet owners as well as small farm and ranch operations.

But we need your help:

The only way this bill can be considered during the current special session of the Texas Legislature is if Governor Rick Perry allows HB 47 to be heard by “calling” HB 47. Governor Perry has stated that legislators must resolve the school funding crises before he will allow them to consider any other legislation.

We have less than 30 days to make ourselves heard. We must make every effort to demand that Governor Rick Perry allow the call for HB 47.

We have less than 30 days to convince our Texas Representatives and Senators to step up to the plate and support Representative Hughes’s HB 47. A number are already on board.

The only way this is going to happen is each and every one of us call, and write and email our Governor, Lt. Governor, our individual State Representatives and Senators. Keep in mind that this is not a household issue; each husband and wife both have a voice. In our country we go by one person one voice one vote. So everyone that is of voting age should call/write/email (do all three) your elected officials.

We also think that 4-H and FFA students should call also. They cannot vote, but by golly they sure would have been affected by TAHC’s HB1361 intrusive, invasive rules !

How do I contact my elected officials ?

To contact your state representative and senator: www.capitol.state.tx.us/fyi/fyi.htm
To contact the Governor: www.governor.state.tx.us/contact
To contact the Lieutenant Governor: http://www.ltgov.state.tx.us/

We need to zero in on Governor Rick Perry
P.O. Box 12428
Austin, Texas 78711
(512) 463-2000
Fax: (512) 463-1849
Please note the Governor’s Office toll free number (800) 843-5789 (Don’t let them send your call to a machine. Tell the person that answers the phone that you want to speak to a real person so your call will get recognized!)

We also ask that you consider signing up and supporting the Farm and Ranch Freedom Alliance. http://www.farmandranchfreedom.org/signup.html
This is your non-profit organization with people who are willing to fight for all of us, but it takes support from us to enable them to fight. The USDA is already funneling your tax dollars through the TAHC to various organizations to force you to sign up on a mandatory NAIS program and we needed our own group to stop them! Please join and sign up for the e-mail action alerts to keep you well informed.

Details of Representatives Hughes bill:

79S30191 BDH-D
By: Hughes
H.B. No. 47

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT relating to prohibiting mandatory participation in an animal identification system. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Sections 161.056(a), (c), and (d), Agriculture Code, are
amended to read as follows:

(a) In order to provide for disease control and enhance the ability to trace disease-infected animals or animals that have been exposed to disease, the commission may develop and implement a voluntary [an] animal identification program that is consistent with the United States Department of Agriculture’s National Animal Identification System.

(c) The commission may permit [require] the use of official identification numbers assigned as part of the animal identification program for animal disease control, animal emergency management, and other commission programs.

(d) The commission may establish a date by which all participating premises must be registered and may assess a registration fee on all entities that register for a premises identification number.

SECTION 2. Sections 161.056(g) and (h), Agriculture Code, are repealed.

SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2006.