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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the classification of elk as exotic animals. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 43.103(3), Parks and Wildlife Code, is |
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amended to read as follows: |
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(3) "Exotic animals" includes exotic livestock and |
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exotic fowl as defined by Section 161.001(a), Agriculture Code, |
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wild animals that are nonindigenous to Texas, and aoudad sheep[,
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and elk]. |
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SECTION 2. Subchapter G, Chapter 43, Parks and Wildlife |
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Code, is amended by adding Section 43.1031 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 43.1031. CLASSIFICATION OF ELK. Notwithstanding the |
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definition provided by Section 43.103(3), the commission by rule |
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may make a determination that elk are wild animals subject to the |
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provisions of this subchapter that apply to exotic animals. |
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SECTION 3. Section 62.015(a), Parks and Wildlife Code, is |
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amended to read as follows: |
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(a) In this section, "exotic animal" means exotic livestock |
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or exotic fowl as defined by Section 161.001(a), Agriculture Code, |
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and aoudad sheep[, or elk]. |
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SECTION 4. Subchapter A, Chapter 62, Parks and Wildlife |
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Code, is amended by adding Section 62.0151 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 62.0151. CLASSIFICATION OF ELK. Notwithstanding the |
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definition provided by Section 62.015(a), the commission by rule |
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may make a determination that elk are wild animals subject to the |
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provisions of this chapter that apply to exotic animals. |
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SECTION 5. The changes in law made by this Act apply only to |
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an offense committed on or after the effective date of this Act. An |
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offense committed before the effective date of this Act is covered |
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by the law in effect when the offense was committed, and the former |
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law is continued in effect for that purpose. For purposes of this |
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section, an offense was committed before the effective date of this |
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Act if any element of the offense was committed before that date. |
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SECTION 6. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives |
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a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as |
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provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this |
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Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this |
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Act takes effect September 1, 2013. |