TX SB613

Prohibits business entities not fully owned by licensed veterinarians from engaging in veterinary medicine, employing veterinarians, setting their compensation or fees, determining patient loads or work hours, mandating practice protocols, or controlling medical supply selections and professional judgment

Bans contracts between veterinarians and private equity firms (or entities they control) that include non-compete clauses against other veterinarians or provisions prohibiting criticism of care quality, ethical standards, or revenue strategies employed by the firm

Increases civil penalties for unlicensed persons violating veterinary practice laws from $1,000 to $5,000 per day of violation, and allows district or county attorneys (in addition to the attorney general) to bring enforcement actions and recover attorney's fees

Expands the definition of "business entity" to include private equity firms, service management organizations, holding companies, investment asset managers, and their subsidiaries or affiliates

Permits veterinarians to engage in authorized business practices including leasing space, paying franchise fees, selling accounts receivable to lending institutions, and contracting for administrative services like accounting, marketing, and recruiting, provided payments based on gross revenue are commensurate with services provided