Sec. 161.0411. DOMESTIC AND EXOTIC FOWL REGISTRATION. (a) A seller, distributor, or transporter of live domestic or exotic fowl in this state shall register with the commission under this section. The commission may exempt from registration a person participating in a disease surveillance program recognized by the commission.

(b) A person may apply for a certificate of registration or a renewal of a certificate of registration under this section by submitting an application and an annual fee prescribed by the commission. A person must complete an application for a certificate of registration that includes a list of each location at which the person conducts the sale, distribution, or transportation of domestic or exotic fowl.

(c) The commission shall adopt rules to administer this section, including rules relating to the testing, identification, transportation, inspection, sanitation, and disinfection of domestic and exotic fowl.

(d) The commission shall prescribe and collect an annual fee for registration as a seller, distributor, or transporter of domestic or exotic fowl in this state.

(e) The commission may set fees under this section in amounts that do not exceed the amounts necessary to enable the commission to recover the costs of administering this section.

(f) A person commits an offense if the person knowingly violates this section or fails to comply with an order or rule adopted under this section.

(g) An offense under this section is a Class C misdemeanor unless it is shown on the trial of the offense that the defendant has been previously convicted under this section, in which event the offense is a Class B misdemeanor.

Added by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 1109, Sec. 1, eff. June 20, 2003.