79R1881 KCR-D

By:  Kuempel                                                      H.B. No. 1703



A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the hunting of certain wounded or dangerous wildlife.             
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Subchapter A, Chapter 62, Parks and Wildlife 
Code, is amended by adding Section 62.002 to read as follows:
	Sec. 62.002.  HUNTING OF SEVERELY WOUNDED OR DANGEROUS 
WILDLIFE.  (a)  In this section, "wildlife" means a wild mammal, 
bird, fish, reptile, or amphibian.
	(b)  A person may hunt by any method wildlife that:                     
		(1)  leaves a blood trail or is unable to move but would 
leave a blood trail if the wildlife were able to move; or
		(2)  behaves in a manner that:                                         
			(A)  is inconsistent with the manner in which 
wildlife that is not diseased typically behaves; and
			(B)  leads a reasonable person to believe that the 
wildlife poses a substantial risk of serious harm to a person or 
another wildlife resource.
	(c)  Not later than the second day after the date on which a 
person hunts wildlife under this section, the person shall report 
the hunting to the department in the manner prescribed by the 
commission.
	(d)  The department may not require a person to possess a 
license or permit to hunt wildlife under this section.
	(e)  The commission shall adopt or amend rules as necessary 
to implement this section.
	SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives 
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as 
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this 
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this 
Act takes effect September 1, 2005.