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TAHC adopts disciplinary orders and new poultry rules, approves leases and budget report
Summary
The commission adopted eight disciplinary final orders, unanimously approved budget and lease requests, and adopted rule changes addressing trichomoniasis testing language and egg drop syndrome virus reporting and entry requirements; a proposed definition of "dairy cattle" was sent for public comment.
The Texas Animal Health Commission took several formal actions during the meeting, unanimously adopting disciplinary final orders, approving financial reports and regional leases, and adopting rule amendments intended to clarify disease reporting and poultry entry requirements.
On enforcement, staff presented eight disciplinary matters including cattle entry and dairy ID violations, penalties assessed to veterinarians for paperwork noncompliance, and a default dismissal tied to repeal of a herd-certification program. The commission moved and adopted the final orders presented under agenda item 16.
On regulatory changes, commissioners adopted amendments to chapter 38 (trichomoniasis) that update testing-result language (changing wording from "negative" to "not detected") and remove a requirement to test bulls one year after a hold order is released. The commission also adopted amendments adding egg drop syndrome virus to the list of reportable and actionable diseases and consolidated poultry entry requirements across chapters 45, 51 and 57; staff made non-substantive clarifying edits after one public comment from the Texas Poultry Federation.
On budget and leases, the commission reviewed final financials through 10/31/2026 and approved the budget status report. Staff then presented proposed 10-year leases for regional offices (Pleasanton and Willacy-related office estimates). Commissioners moved, seconded and unanimously approved contracts, purchases and leases as presented; staff described a combined not-to-exceed estimate of $2.4 million for the two 10-year leases.
Separately, staff proposed adding a USDA-aligned definition of "dairy cattle" to chapter 51 to clarify testing requirements; commissioners voted to publish the proposed amendment in the Texas Register for a 30-day public comment period.
All motions recorded in open session were adopted unanimously. There were no public comments signed up and the meeting adjourned.
