By: Guillen H.B. No. 3271

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the creation of a deer management program commission.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Chapter 63, Texas Parks and Wildlife Code, is amended by adding Section 63.003, to read as follows:

Section 63.003. DEER MANAGEMENT COMMISSION. (a) In this section:

(1) "Commission" means the deer management commission;

(2) "Deer" means a white-tailed deer or mule deer;

(3) "Department" means the Parks and Wildlife Department.

(b) The commission is composed of the following nineteen members:

(1) two veterinarians who are members of the Texas Deer Association, one whom shall be appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives and one whom shall be appointed by the lieutenant governor;

(2) two wildlife biologists who are members of the Texas Deer Association, one whom shall be appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives and one whom shall be appointed by the lieutenant governor;

(3) two veterinarians who are members of the Texas Wildlife Association, one whom shall be appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives and one whom shall be appointed by the lieutenant governor;

(3) two wildlife biologists who are members of the Texas Wildlife Association, one whom shall be appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives and one whom shall be appointed by the lieutenant governor;

(4) two representatives from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department;

(4) two representatives from the Texas Animal Health Commission;

(5) two representatives from Texas A&M University, one whom shall be appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives and one whom shall be appointed by the lieutenant governor;

(6) two representatives of Texas A&M University - Kingsville, one whom shall be appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives and one whom shall be appointed by the lieutenant governor;

(7) two representatives of Texas Tech University, one whom shall be appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives and one whom shall be appointed by the lieutenant governor; and

(8) the governor shall appoint a member of the public who has demonstrated a high knowledge of deer management to serve as the chair of the commission. The chair may not be a member of the Texas Deer Association or the Texas Wildlife Association.

(c) The commission shall study and make recommendations regarding deer management practices for both white-tailed and mule deer, including:

(1) study and determine exact pharmaceutical withdrawal periods;

(2) study and develop guidelines for the denial and review of deer breeder permits;

(3) study and recommend practices for the identification of breeder deer;

(4) study and recommend practices for captivity of breeder deer;

(5) study and recommend practices for the transfer of breeder deer;

(6) study and recommend practices for the sale of game meat;

(7) study and recommend practices for the trapping of deer;

(8) recommend guidelines for the notification and appeal process regarding the depopulation of some or all of a deer breeder's herd; and

(9) recommend a date for the release of breeder deer prior to an open hunting season.

(d) A commission member is not entitled to compensation for the services provided as a commission member. A commission member may receive reimbursement for the member's actual and necessary expenses incurred in performing commission duties.

(e) The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and the Texas Animal Health Commission shall use existing resources to conduct the study.

(f) The commission may solicit and accept donations from private and public sources for the purpose of this section.

(g) The commission shall meet at the call of the presiding officer and may hold additional meetings by telephone conference call if necessary.

(h) The commission shall hold at least three public hearings in locations selected by the commission to provide interested persons an opportunity to appear and speak on any subject relating to the powers and duties of the commission.

(i) Not later than January 1, 2017, the commission shall provide the department, the legislature, and the governor, a final report on deer management recommendations.

(j) Not later than January 1, 2019, the commission shall provide the department, the legislature, and the governor, a final report on the implementation of deer management practices.

(k) This Section expires and the commission is abolished on June 1, 2019.

(l) Not later than December 1, 2015, the governor shall appoint the chair of the commission, the speaker of the house of representatives, and the lieutenant governor shall appoint the members of the commission created under this section.

(m) The commission is subject to Chapters 551 and 552, Government Code.

SECTION 2. EFFECTIVE DATE. 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, 2015.