This agency is currently inactive. An agency can be labeled inactive if it has been abolished, had a title change, was merged into a different agency or split into different agencies. See Agency History on the right for further information.
Next Review Date: None
Last Review Cycle: 2006-2007 Review Cycle - 80th Legislative Session
Sunset Documents for 2006-2007 Review Cycle, 80th Legislative Session
Summary of Results (Jul 2007)
Staff Report (Feb 2006)
Self-Evaluation Report (Aug 2005)
Legislative Documents
House Bill 2024 (May 2007)
Final Results of Last Sunset Review
The Texas Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL) was created in 1967 to perform diagnostic testing and identify conditions and diseases affecting animal health so that the appropriate state or federal regulatory agency may act to avert potential epidemics. TVMDL’s main functions include: providing diagnostic testing services and disease surveillance, conducting sampling testing for poultry flocks under the Texas Pullorum-Typhoid Program, and performing drug testing for horses and greyhounds participating in pari-mutuel races. TVMDL operates with an annual budget of about $12 million, and a staff of 150. In fiscal year 2006, TVMDL performed more than 1.1 million tests.
House Bill 2024 continues TVMDL but clarifies that it is part of the Texas A&M University System and removes it from future Sunset review. The bill also contains the Sunset Commission’s recommendations to provide the agency with a statutory framework that balances the agency’s need for flexibility with the Legislature’s need for accountability. The list below summarizes the major provisions of H.B. 2024.
- Continue the Texas Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory as an independent agency, but remove the agency from Sunset review.
- Clarify TVMDL’s powers and duties in statute, and require the agency to provide notice and opportunity for public comment when developing its fee schedule.
- Designate TVMDL as the State Plan Coordinator for the National Poultry Improvement Plan.