AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S
STATEMENT OF INTENT
Bison
have historically been defined as wildlife; therefore, their owners do not have
the same property rights as the owners of cattle or other livestock. Under
current law, if a roaming bison wanders onto the property of another landowner,
that landowner may dispose of the bison as he or she sees fit, without any
consequences. The owner of the bison has no recourse because bison are not
considered "estray" under Section 142.001(4), Texas Agriculture
Code. Under the current classification, when a bison (or herd of bison) roams
from its owners land on to another person's property, the property owner is not
required to provide notice to the owner of the buffalo or to the sheriff, as is
the case with roaming cattle under the Estray Law.
As proposed, S.B.
478 amends current law relating to the protection
of stray bison.
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 Subdivision
(1), Section 142.001, Agriculture Code, to redefine "estray" by
adding stray bison to the definition.
SECTION 2. Effective date: upon
passage or September 1, 2011.