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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, Texas is home to the largest population of |
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white-tailed deer in the nation, and deer breeding and hunting make |
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important contributions to the state's economy; and |
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WHEREAS, A Texas A&M University study conducted in 2007 found |
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that deer breeding and ranching generated over $650 million |
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annually and supported more than 7,300 jobs; as land ownership |
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becomes increasingly fragmented, deer breeding is particularly |
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well suited to the utilization of smaller tracts, and the industry |
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is now one of the fastest growing in rural America; by 2012, Texas |
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had permitted over 1,200 breeder facilities containing over 100,000 |
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breeder deer in nearly 200 counties; and |
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WHEREAS, Disease issues that arise in the deer industry are |
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handled by the Texas Animal Health Commission, but most industry |
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activities fall under the purview of the wildlife division of the |
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Texas Parks and Wildlife Department; although TPWD is noted for its |
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vast knowledge of wildlife biology, it is the TAHC that maintains |
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expertise in agriculture, animal husbandry, and related matters of |
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genetics, health, nutrition, breeding, and marketability; |
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moreover, the TAHC manages certain breeds of cervid animals, |
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including red deer and sika deer; and |
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WHEREAS, Properly managing this growing industry is of |
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long-term importance, and an in-depth consideration of relevant |
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issues would be beneficial to this state; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 83rd Texas |
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Legislature hereby direct the House Committee on Culture, |
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Recreation, and Tourism to study regulatory oversight of the deer |
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breeding industry in order to ensure that the industry is served by |
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the state agency tasked with promoting and ensuring animal health |
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and productivity; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That the study include recommendations on measures |
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to ensure the vitality of the industry and encompass assurances |
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that the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department will remain involved |
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in the industry through its responsibility for issuing hunting |
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licenses and providing game wardens; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That the committee submit a full report, including |
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findings and recommendations for legislation, to the speaker and |
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the members of the House of Representatives of the 84th Texas |
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Legislature. |