Sec. 131.042. PERMIT FOR EXPORTATION. (a) A person who ships bees or equipment from this state to another state, territory, or country may apply to the chief apiary inspector for a permit authorizing the shipment. The application must include:

(1) a complete description of the shipment;

(2) the destination of the shipment;

(3) the approximate date of the shipment;

(4) the names and addresses of the consignor and consignee; and

(5) evidence that the shipment is apparently free from a disease of bees.

(b) The inspector shall accept as evidence that a shipment is apparently free from disease either:

(1) a certificate of inspection issued under Section 131.044 of this code; or

(2) an affidavit by the beekeeper or owner of the bees or equipment stating that to his knowledge, the bees or equipment are free from disease.

(c) If a person files an application in accordance with Subsection (a) of this section, and the inspector is satisfied that the shipment does not pose a threat to disease control in the beekeeping industry, the inspector shall issue a permit for the shipment.

(d) The inspector shall charge a fee for each permit issued under this section. The inspector shall set the fee at an amount that is reasonable in relation to the costs of administering this section, but at not less than $50. Additional copies of each permit issued under this section shall be available from the inspector for a reasonable fee set by the inspector at not less than $10.

Amended by Acts 1983, 68th Leg., p. 1884, ch. 350, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1983; Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 418, Sec. 3, eff. Sept. 1, 1985.