HB 1071 (Harris/Whitmire) amends the Government Code to authorize a party to an action filed in a court in Texas to petition the court for an order authorizing a qualified facility dog or qualified therapy animal to be present with a witness who is testifying before the court through in-person testimony or closed-circuit video teleconferencing testimony. The bill was signed by the Governor on 6/03 and effective 09/01/21.

SB 197 (Nelson/Creighton) exempts the sale of an animal by a nonprofit animal welfare organization from limited sales, excise, and use taxes. The bill was signed by the Governor on 6/04 and effective 10/01/21.

SB 474 (Lucio/Collier) revises dog restraint requirements to ensure that dogs are restrained in a humane manner while minimizing the burden of compliance on
owners. The bill was sent to the Governor on 5/29.