1-1 AN ACT 1-2 relating to the protection of bats; providing a penalty. 1-3 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: 1-4 SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 63, Parks and Wildlife 1-5 Code, is amended by adding Section 63.101 to read as follows: 1-6 Sec. 63.101. PROTECTION OF BATS. (a) Except as provided by 1-7 Subsections (b) and (c), no person may: 1-8 (1) hunt a bat; or 1-9 (2) sell, offer for sale, purchase, offer to purchase, 1-10 or possess after purchase a bat or any part of a bat, dead or 1-11 alive. 1-12 (b) A bat may be removed or hunted if the bat is inside or 1-13 on a building occupied by people. 1-14 (c) This section does not apply to: 1-15 (1) an animal control officer, a peace officer, or a 1-16 health official who captures a bat that the officer or official 1-17 considers injured or diseased; 1-18 (2) a person who transports a bat for the purpose of 1-19 laboratory testing if the bat has exposed or potentially exposed 1-20 humans or domestic animals to rabies; or 1-21 (3) a person who is licensed to provide pest control 1-22 services. 1-23 SECTION 2. Subsection (c), Section 63.104, Parks and 1-24 Wildlife Code, is amended to read as follows: 1-25 (c) A person who violates Section 63.002 or 63.101 of this 2-1 code commits an offense that is a Class C Parks and Wildlife Code 2-2 misdemeanor. 2-3 SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2001, and 2-4 applies only to an act described by Section 63.101, Parks and 2-5 Wildlife Code, as added by this Act, committed on or after that 2-6 date. _______________________________ _______________________________ President of the Senate Speaker of the House I hereby certify that S.B. No. 1194 passed the Senate on April 3, 2001, by a viva-voce vote; and that the Senate concurred in House amendment on May 14, 2001, by a viva-voce vote. _______________________________ Secretary of the Senate I hereby certify that S.B. No. 1194 passed the House, with amendment, on May 8, 2001, by a non-record vote. _______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House Approved: _______________________________ Date _______________________________ Governor