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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to deer identification and deer breeder operations. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter L, Chapter 43, Parks and Wildlife |
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Code, is amended to read as follows: |
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Sec. 43.3561. IDENTIFICATION OF BREEDER DEER. (d) If a |
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deer breeder uses a durable identification tag that is a microchip |
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implanted under the deer's skin the department must determine a |
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deadline after birth of the breeder deer as early as the department |
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determines is feasible to assure the proper identification of the |
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breeder deer. |
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(e) The commission shall adopt rules requiring game wardens |
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and other personnel involved in checking breeder deer to use the |
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least disruptive method of performing the inspection required to |
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enforce department regulations and perform the inspection in |
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coordination with the permittee if the permittee is available at |
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the time of the inspection. |
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(f) The commission shall adopt rules allowing deer breeder |
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permittees whose records are challenged or found to be insufficient |
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during an inspection to exercise the option of providing DNA test |
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results at the permittee's expense to identify genetic |
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relationships of breeder deer after the department gives written |
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notice to the deer breeder permittee listing the probable cause for |
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the tests and which deer are included in that probable cause |
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designation. |
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(g) Results from a DNA test are not a defense against any |
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fines levied by the department for failure to keep proper records of |
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all deer in a deer breeder facility. |
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SECTION 3. The changes in law made by this Act apply to all |
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inspections, investigations or actions that take place on or after |
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the effective date of this Act. An inspection, investigation or |
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action taken before the effective date of this Act is governed by |
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the law as it existed immediately before the effective date of this |
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Act, and that law is continued in effect for that purpose. |