Sec. 164.022. HEARING. (a) Not later than the fifth day following the day on which a person receives an order to dip cattle or sheep, the person may file with the commission or the presiding officer of the commission a written affidavit that:

(1) denies that the animals are subject to being dipped under this chapter, or states that, for good and sufficient reason set out in the affidavit, the person is entitled to have the order rescinded or the dipping postponed; and

(2) requests that the commission withhold enforcement of the order and grant a hearing on the matter or investigate the matter as necessary to determine the correctness of the statement contained in the affidavit.

(b) Not later than the fifth day following the day on which the commission receives an affidavit under Subsection (a) of this section, the commission shall, if desired by the affiant, grant the affiant a hearing in the office of the presiding officer. The commission shall give the affiant notice of the hearing by telegram or registered mail and shall hold the hearing not earlier than the fourth day following the day of giving that notice.

(c) The commission shall consider the affidavit at the hearing and shall, in person or by agent, investigate the matter as the commission considers necessary.

(d) If the commission finds that the statement in the affidavit is correct, the commission shall rescind the order or postpone the dipping until a time that the commission considers proper. If the commission finds that the statement in the affidavit is not correct, the commission shall enforce the order on the date and at the time designated in the order.

(e) Following a hearing, the commission shall deliver its written findings to the affiant not later than the fourth day before the date and time that the order requires the animals to be dipped.

(f) A person who is dissatisfied with the findings of the commission under this section may apply to a court of proper venue and jurisdiction for an injunction or other relief.

Acts 1981, 67th Leg., p. 1422, ch. 388, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1981. Amended by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 554, Sec. 31, eff. Sept. 1, 1995.