TITLE 16.ECONOMIC REGULATION

Part 2. PUBLIC UTILITY COMMISSION OF TEXAS

Chapter 26. SUBSTANTIVE RULES APPLICABLE TO TELECOMMUNICATIONS SERVICE PROVIDERS

Subchapter P. TEXAS UNIVERSAL SERVICE FUND

The Public Utility Commission of Texas (commission) adopts an amendment to §26.401 relating to Texas Universal Service Fund (TUSF), the repeal of §26.413 relating to Tel- Assistance Service, and an amendment to §26.417 relating to Designation as Eligible Telecommunications Providers to Receive Texas Universal Service Funds (TUSF) with no changes to the proposed text as published in the November 23, 2001 Texas Register (26 TexReg 9489). The repeal of §26.413 was necessary as a result of House Bill 2156, 77th Legislative Session (HB 2156), that eliminated the Tel-Assistance Program effective September 1, 2001. HB 2156 required telecommunications carriers to convert all Tel-Assistance customers to Lifeline Service as of September 1, 2001; therefore §26.413 is no longer necessary. The amendments to §26.401 and §26.417 removed references to §26.413 and Tel-Assistance, and made other non-substantive changes. This repeal and amendments are adopted under Project Number 24523.

The commission received no comments on the proposed repeal or amendments.

16 TAC §26.401, §26.417

The amendments are adopted under the Public Utility Regulatory Act, Texas Utilities Code Annotated §14.002 (Vernon 1998, Supplement 2002) (PURA), which provides the Public Utility Commission with the authority to make and enforce rules reasonably required in the exercise of its powers and jurisdiction; and specifically, 2001 Texas Session Laws, HB 2156 (Vernon's), 77th Legislature, Regular Session, Chapter 1451, §4, that discontinues the Tel- Assistance Program.

Cross Reference to Statutes: Public Utility Regulatory Act §§14.002, 55.015, and 56.021.

This agency hereby certifies that the adoption has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on February 15, 2002.

TRD-200200993

Rhonda G. Dempsey

Rules Coordinator

Public Utility Commission of Texas

Effective date: March 7, 2002

Proposal publication date: November 23, 2001

For further information, please call: (512)936-7308


16 TAC §26.413

The repeal is adopted under the Public Utility Regulatory Act, Texas Utilities Code Annotated §14.002 (Vernon 1998, Supplement 2002) (PURA), which provides the Public Utility Commission with the authority to make and enforce rules reasonably required in the exercise of its powers and jurisdiction; and specifically, 2001 Texas Session Laws, HB 2156 (Vernon's), 77th Legislature, Regular Session, Chapter 1451, §4, that discontinues the Tel- Assistance Program.

Cross Reference to Statutes: Public Utility Regulatory Act §§14.002, 55.015, and 56.021.

This agency hereby certifies that the adoption has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on February 15, 2002.

TRD-200200992

Rhonda G. Dempsey

Rules Coordinator

Public Utility Commission of Texas

Effective date: March 7, 2002

Proposal publication date: November 23, 2001

For further information, please call: (512) 936-7308


Part 8. TEXAS RACING COMMISSION

Chapter 303. GENERAL PROVISIONS

Subchapter D. TEXAS BRED INCENTIVE PROGRAMS

2. PROGRAM FOR HORSES

16 TAC §303.99

The Texas Racing Commission adopts an amendment to §303.99, relating to stakes and other prepayment races, breed registries, without changes to the proposed text as published in the December 21, 2001, issue of the Texas Register (26 TexReg 10461) and will not be republished. The amendment deletes an incorrect cross-reference and inserts the proper reference.

No comments were received regarding the adoption of this amendment.

The amendment is adopted under the Texas Civil Statutes, Article 179e, §3.02, which authorizes the Commission to adopt rules for conducting racing with wagering and for administering the Texas Racing Act; §3.021, which authorizes the Commission to regulate all aspects of greyhound and horse racing in Texas and §6.06, which authorizes the Commission to adopt rules on all matters relating to the operation of pari-mutuel racetracks.

The amendment implements Texas Civil Statutes, Article 179e.

This agency hereby certifies that the adoption has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on February 20, 2002.

TRD-200201035

Judith L. Kennison

General Counsel

Texas Racing Commission

Effective date: March 13, 2002

Proposal publication date: December 21, 2001

For further information, please call: (512) 833-6699


Chapter 309. RACETRACK LICENSES AND OPERATIONS

Subchapter D. GREYHOUND RACETRACKS

2. OPERATIONS

16 TAC §309.361

The Texas Racing Commission adopts an amendment to §309.361, relating to greyhound purse and kennel account without changes to the proposed text as published in the December 21, 2001, issue of the Texas Register (26 TexReg 10462) and will not be republished. The purpose of this amendment is to hold purses in greyhound stakes races until all drug testing has been completed and cleared in all trial races and finals before the distribution of purses to affected persons. The amendment is necessary to avoid financial difficulty to those affected persons who may be required to reimburse a share of the purse due to a positive test found in qualifying rounds or in the finals.

No comments were received regarding the adoption of this amendment.

The amendments are adopted under the Texas Civil Statutes, Article 179e, §3.02, which authorizes the Commission to adopt rules for conducting racing with wagering and for administering the Texas Racing Act; §3.021, which authorizes the Commission to regulate all aspects of greyhound and horse racing in Texas, and §6.06, which authorizes the Commission to adopt rules on all matters relating to the operation of pari-mutuel racetracks.

The adoption implements Texas Civil Statutes, Article 179e.

This agency hereby certifies that the adoption has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on February 20, 2002.

TRD-200201036

Judith L. Kennison

General Counsel

Texas Racing Commission

Effective date: March 13, 2002

Proposal publication date: December 21, 2001

For further information, please call: (512) 833-6699


Chapter 311. OTHER LICENSES

Subchapter B. SPECIFIC LICENSES

16 TAC §311.103

The Texas Racing Commission adopts an amendment to §311.103, relating to kennel owners, without changes to the proposed text in the January 18, 2002, issue of the Texas Register (27 TexReg 45) and will not be republished. The amendment requires kennel owners to provide documentation of their greyhounds' whelping kennel. This amendment will ensure that all greyhound participating in pari-mutuel racing have been whelped from inspected kennels. The National Greyhound Association will perform the inspections to ensure minimal standards are upheld.

No comments were received regarding the adoption of this amendment.

The amendment is adopted under the Texas Civil Statutes, Article 179e, §3.02, which authorizes the Commission to adopt rules for conducting racing with wagering and for administering the Texas Racing Act; and §6.06, which authorizes the Commission to adopt rules relating to all aspects of pari-mutuel tracks.

The adoption implements Texas Civil Statutes, Article 179e.

This agency hereby certifies that the adoption has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on February 20, 2002.

TRD-200201037

Judith L. Kennison

General Counsel

Texas Racing Commission

Effective date: March 13, 2002

Proposal publication date: January 18, 2002

For further information, please call: (512) 833-6699


Chapter 315. OFFICIALS AND RULES FOR GREYHOUND RACING

Subchapter D. GREYHOUND BREEDING FARMS

16 TAC §315.250

The Texas Racing Commission adopts new §315.250, pertaining to standards for greyhound breeding farms, without changes to the proposed text as published in the December 21, 2001, issue of the Texas Register (26 TexReg 10462) and will not be republished. The new section provides for minimum standards for greyhound breeding farms as required by §10.04(b) of the Texas Racing Act.

No comments were received regarding the adoption of this new rule.

The new rule is adopted under the Texas Civil Statutes, Article 179e, §3.02, which authorizes the Commission to adopt rules for conducting racing with wagering and for administering the Texas Racing Act; §3.021, which authorizes the Commission to regulate all aspects of greyhound and horse racing in Texas, §6.06, which authorizes the Commission to adopt rules on all matters relating to the operation of pari-mutuel racetracks, and §10.04, which authorizes the Commission to adopt standards relating to the operation of greyhound farms.

The new rule implements Texas Civil Statutes, Article 179e.

This agency hereby certifies that the adoption has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on February 20, 2002.

TRD-200201038

Judith L. Kennison

General Counsel

Texas Racing Commission

Effective date: March 13, 2002

Proposal publication date: December 21, 2001

For further information, please call: (512) 833-6699


Chapter 319. VETERINARY PRACTICES AND DRUG TESTING

Subchapter D. DRUG TESTING

2. TESTING PROCEDURES

16 TAC §319.338

The Texas Racing Commission adopts new §319.338, relating to the storage of split samples, without changes to the proposed text as published in the December 21, 2001, issue of the Texas Register (26 TexReg 10463) and will not be republished. This section was formally known as §319.363. The rule will be now located with the testing procedures subsection of the rulebook. By creating this new section in its current placement, the storage procedure will apply to both horses and greyhounds without unnecessary repetition.

No comments were received regarding the adoption of this amendment.

The new section is adopted under the Texas Civil Statutes, Article 179e, §3.02, which authorizes the Commission to adopt rules for conducting racing with wagering and for administering the Texas Racing Act; §3.021, which authorizes the Commission to regulate all aspects of greyhound and horse racing in Texas, and §3.16 which authorizes the Commission to adopt rules relating to split testing procedures.

The new rule implements Texas Civil Statutes, Article 179e.

This agency hereby certifies that the adoption has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on February 20, 2002.

TRD-200201039

Judith L. Kennison

General Counsel

Texas Racing Commission

Effective date: March 13, 2002

Proposal publication date: December 21, 2001

For further information, please call: (512) 833-6699


3. PROVISIONS FOR HORSES

16 TAC §319.362

The Texas Racing Commission adopts amendments to §319.362, relating to split specimen, without changes to the proposed text as published in the December 21, 2001, issue of the Texas Register (26 TexReg 10463) and will not be republished. The amendment modifies the rule to reflect the current practice of handling split samples for horses.

No comments were received regarding the adoption of this amendment.

The amendments are adopted under the Texas Civil Statutes, Article 179e, §3.02, which authorizes the Commission to adopt rules for conducting racing with wagering and for administering the Texas Racing Act; §3.021, which authorizes the Commission to regulate all aspects of greyhound and horse racing in Texas, and §3.16 which authorizes the Commission to adopt rules relating to split testing procedures.

The adoption implements Texas Civil Statutes, Article 179e.

This agency hereby certifies that the adoption has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on February 20, 2002.

TRD-200201040

Judith L. Kennison

General Counsel

Texas Racing Commission

Effective date: March 13, 2002

Proposal publication date: December 21, 2001

For further information, please call: (512) 833-6699


16 TAC §319.363

The Texas Racing Commission adopts the repeal §319.363, relating to the storage of split samples, without changes to the proposed text as published in the December 21, 2001, issue of the Texas Register (26 TexReg 10464) and will not be republished. The repeal is necessary because a new section has been created which provides for storage procedures. These procedure are now applicable to both horses and greyhounds.

No comments were received regarding the adoption of this repeal.

The repeal is adopted under the Texas Civil Statutes, Article 179e, §3.02, which authorizes the Commission to adopt rules for conducting racing with wagering and for administering the Texas Racing Act; §3.021, which authorizes the Commission to regulate all aspects of greyhound and horse racing in Texas, and §3.16 which authorizes the Commission to adopt rules relating to split testing procedures.

The repeal implements Texas Civil Statutes, Article 179e.

This agency hereby certifies that the adoption has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on February 20, 2002.

TRD-200201041

Judith L. Kennison

General Counsel

Texas Racing Commission

Effective date: March 13, 2002

Proposal publication date: December 21, 2001

For further information, please call: (512) 833-6699


4. PROVISIONS FOR GREYHOUNDS

16 TAC §319.391

The Texas Racing Commission adopts amendments to §319.391, relating to the testing of greyhounds, without changes to the proposed text as published in the December 21, 2001, issue of the Texas Register (26 TexReg 10465) and will not be republished. The amendments provide a procedure to request a split sample, to determine when a split is to be performed, and to maintain the split sample for greyhound testing.

A written comment was received from a greyhound association. The comment stated that it was unlikely a greyhound would be able to provide sufficient urine needed for testing. Staff of the Commission explained that the drug testing facilities recommended the quantity required by the rule. Further, it was also explained that the Racing Act requires a method for split samples for greyhounds as well as horses.

The amendments are adopted under the Texas Civil Statutes, Article 179e, §3.02, which authorizes the Commission to adopt rules for conducting racing with wagering and for administering the Texas Racing Act; §3.021, which authorizes the Commission to regulate all aspects of greyhound and horse racing in Texas, and §3.16 which authorizes the Commission to adopt rules relating to split testing procedures.

The adoption implements Texas Civil Statutes, Article 179e.

This agency hereby certifies that the adoption has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on February 20, 2002.

TRD-200201042

Judith L. Kennison

General Counsel

Texas Racing Commission

Effective date: March 13, 2002

Proposal publication date: December 21, 2001

For further information, please call: (512) 833-6699


Chapter 323. DISCIPLINARY ACTION AND ENFORCEMENT

Subchapter C. CRIMINAL ENFORCEMENT

16 TAC §323.202, §323.203

The Texas Racing Commission adopts amendments to §323.202 and §323.203 relating to notice to district attorneys and reporting to the Texas Department of Public Safety, without changes to the proposed text as published in the November 16, 2001, issue of the Texas Register (26 TexReg 9349) and will not be republished. The amendments leave to the discretion of the executive secretary the types of criminal conduct and offenses related to racing or pari-mutuel wagering which may be reported to a district or county attorney and the amendments conform terminology to current Commission rule style.

No comments were received regarding the adoption of these amendments.

The amendments are adopted under the Texas Civil Statutes, Article 179e, §3.02, which authorizes the Commission to adopt rules for conducting racing with wagering and for administering the Texas Racing Act; and §3.11 which relates to cooperation with peace officers.

The adoptions implements Texas Civil Statutes, Article 179e.

This agency hereby certifies that the adoption has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on February 20, 2002.

TRD-200201043

Judith L. Kennison

General Counsel

Texas Racing Commission

Effective date: March 13, 2002

Proposal publication date: November 16, 2001

For further information, please call: (512) 833-6699