SRC-SEW C.S.S.B. 1194 77(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center C.S.S.B. 1194 77R10487 YDB-DBy: Wentworth Natural Resources 3/23/2001 Committee Report (Substituted) DIGEST AND PURPOSE Bats have important ecological, and thus economic, roles in pest control, pollination, and seed dispersal. However, the killing and disturbance of bats in Texas is leading to significant declines in many bat populations. These populations are susceptible to decline and extinction because they are relatively slow at reproducing and because some species form large colonies that are vulnerable to vandalism and human interference. C.S.S.B. 1194 prohibits a person, with certain exceptions, from killing a bat or selling, offering for sale, purchasing, offering for purchase, or possessing a bat or any part of a bat, dead or alive, and provides penalties for such offenses. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Chapter 63B, Parks and Wildlife Code, by adding Section 63.101, as follows: Sec. 63.101. PROTECTION OF BATS. Prohibits, with certain exceptions, a person from hunting a bat or selling, offering for sale, purchasing, offering to purchase, or possessing after a purchase a bat or any part of a bat, dead or alive. Authorizes a bat to be removed or hunted if the bat is inside a building occupied by people. Provides that this section does not apply to certain persons under certain circumstances. SECTION 2. Amends Section 63.104(c), Parks and Wildlife Code, to provide that a person who violates Section 63.002 or 63.101 of this code commits an offense that is a Class C Parks and Wildlife Code misdemeanor. SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 2001. Makes application of this Act prospective. SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE CHANGES SECTION 1. Amends As Filed S.B. 1194, proposed new Section 63.101, Parks and Wildlife Code, to provide that this section does not apply to a person who transports a bat for the purpose of laboratory testing if the bat has exposed or potentially exposed humans or domestic animals to rabies. Omits language regarding transporting a bat to the nearest Texas Department of Health facility or medical facility if the bat poses an immediate threat to human health or safety. SECTION 2. No change. SECTION 3. No change.