The Chairman called the roll for the commission members, but several were absent (Cattle).
Item 3. Approval of Minutes of Previous Meeting
Approved the minutes of the 414th Commission meeting.
Motion made by Commissioner Jordan and seconded by Commissioner Leathers.
Item 4. Report on Waivers and Variances
12 waivers requested, 7 approved (Livestock).
Reasons for denial included shipping issues, lack of hardship, and non-compliance with rules.
Item 5. Presentation of Field Animal Health Programs and Disease Traceability, and Emergency Management Activities
Staffing: 115.5 field positions filled, 15 vacant.
Inspections: 34 event inspections, 202 feed yard and calf ranch inspections, 276 feral swine inspections, etc. (Livestock).
Emergency management activities: responded to HPAI in Denton County, Lampasas County, and Hale County; performed disinfection and disposal of poultry (Poultry).
Item 6. Presentation of USDA Veterinary Services Program Update
Cattle Fever Tick Eradication Program update: efforts to control spread of cattle fever ticks.
Other disease activities: responding to HPAI outbreaks across the US.
Item 7. Audit Subcommittee Report
No report presented due to cancellation of audit subcommittee meeting (no animals affected).
Item 8. Budget Status Report
FY 2023 budgeted revenue: $13,522,684 from General Revenue; $1,746,552 from Federal Funds.
FY 2023 budgeted expenditures total $14,589,319.
Available funds: $7,609,994.
Item 9. Consideration of and Possible Action on Agency Contracts and Purchases
Contracts and purchases for consideration by the Commissioners.
Approved by motion made by Commissioner Jordan and seconded by Commissioner Leathers (no animals affected).
Item 10. Presentation of Compliance Activities
Compliance activities: alleged regulatory violations received between September 2021 and February 2023 (FY2022) and FY 2023.
Total compliance cases received in FY 2022: 387; total non-compliant livestock shipment inspections: 955.
Action taken on compliance cases.
Item 11. Consideration of and Possible Action on Orders Related to Commission Rule Violations
Orders related to commission rule violations for consideration by the Commissioners.
Approved by motion made by Commissioner Leathers and seconded by Commissioner Vermedahl (no animals affected).
Item 12. Consideration of and Possible Action on Proposals for Decision
Proposal for decision: outlined default order (no animals affected).
Item 13. Consideration of and Possible Action on Proposed Rule Review
Item 14. Consideration of and Possible Action on Adoption of Proposed Rules
Proposed amendments to:
Chapter 35, Brucellosis (Livestock): removed additional entry requirements for cattle from Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming.
Chapter 40, Chronic Wasting Disease: increased surveillance and reduced risk of CWD spread.
Chapter 45, Reportable and Actionable Diseases: added Malignant Catarrhal Fever to list of reportable diseases (Livestock).
Chapter 51, Entry Requirements: clarified certificate of veterinary inspection requirements and increased tuberculosis testing age for dairy cattle (Livestock).
Item 15. Consideration of and Possible Action on Proposed Rules
Proposed amendments to Chapter 40, Chronic Wasting Disease: clarify, correct, and update CWD management information.
Added, amended, and removed defined terms.
Provided clarity in procedures for issuing hold orders and quarantines (Livestock).
Item 16. Closed Executive Session to Receive Legal Advice
Received legal advice on pending or contemplated litigation and settlement offers.
Item 17. Closed Executive Session to Deliberate the Appointment, Employment, Evaluation, Reassignment, Duties, Discipline, or Dismissal of Specific Commission Employees
Deliberated on appointment, employment, evaluation, reassignment, duties, discipline, or dismissal of specific commission employees (no animals affected).
Item 18. Reconvene to Consider Any Action Needed Following Closed Executive Session
No action was necessary after the closed sessions.
Item 19. Presentation of Awards and Recognition
Recognized Chairman Locke for his recent induction into the Brahman Hall of Fame (Brahman Cattle).
Item 20. Public Comment
Received public comment on Rule 51, but no action was taken (no animals affected).
Item 21. Set Date for Next Commission Meeting
Did not set a date for the next commission meeting; will post notice when it is scheduled (no animals affected).
Item 22. Adjournment
Meeting adjourned at 11:35 AM (no animals affected).