88R1824 SRA-F     By: Goodwin H.B. No. 309       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to a refundable adoption fee for the sterilization of dogs   and cats; authorizing a fee.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Section 828.002, Health and Safety Code, is   amended to read as follows:          Sec. 828.002.  REQUIREMENTS FOR ADOPTION.  (a)  Except as   provided by Section 828.013, a releasing agency may not release a   dog or cat for adoption unless:                (1)  the animal has been sterilized; or                (2)  the release is made to a new owner who signs an   agreement to have the animal sterilized and pays a refundable $75   fee.          (b)  The releasing agency shall:                (1)  collect the fee required under Subsection (a)(2)   from each new owner who adopts a dog or cat that is not sterilized;   and                (2)  refund the amount of the collected fee to an owner   who provides to the agency the letter required by Section 828.005   confirming the adopted dog or cat has been sterilized within the   time required by that section.          (c)  Each releasing agency shall remit to the comptroller all   fees not refunded under Subsection (b)(2) in accordance with the   times and methods prescribed by the comptroller.  The comptroller   shall deposit the fees to the credit of the account created by the   comptroller in the manner provided by Section 504.6012(b),   Transportation Code. Money deposited to that account may be used   only by the Department of State Health Services to award grants to   eligible organizations for the purpose of providing sterilization   services in accordance with Section 828.014.          SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.