BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	S.B. 1720
85R9191 SLB-F	By: Estes
	Agriculture, Water & Rural Affairs
	5/5/2017
	As Filed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

Under current law, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) requires breeder deer to be identified with an ear tag bearing an alphanumeric number of not more than four characters, as assigned by TPWD to the breeding facility. In the United States, microchips have long been used by veterinary clinics and animal shelters as a reliable means for animal identification. S.B. 1720 seeks to authorize microchip technology as an acceptable form of breeder deer identification under the TPWD permit by allowing breeding facilities the option of identifying breeder deer with a TPWD-approved microchip instead of tattooing the deer. S.B. 1720 would also give TPWD rulemaking authority to regulate the use of microchips in breeder deer programs.

As proposed, S.B. 1720 amends current law relating to the identification of breeder deer by use of microchip implants.

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 Section 43.3561, Parks and Wildlife Code, as follows: ������

Sec. 43.3561. IDENTIFICATION OF BREEDER DEER. (a) Requires the breeder deer held in a permitted deer breeding facility, not later than March 31 of the year following the year in which a breeder deer is born, to be identified by implanting in the breeder deer a microchip that is programmed to contain the alphanumeric number described by Subdivision (1) (relating to identification of breeder deer through the use of certain tags). Makes nonsubstantive changes.

(b) Creates this subsection from existing text. Provides that a deer breeder is not required to remove the durable identification tag or microchip for any purpose but is authorized to remove the tag or microchip and replace the tag or microchip immediately to meet the requirements of this section.

(c) Creates an exception under Subsection (e). Redesignates existing Subsection (b) as Subsection (c). Makes a nonsubstantive change.

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(d) Creates an exception under Subsection (e). Redesignates existing Subsection (c) as Subsection (d). Makes a nonsubstantive change.

(e) Authorizes a deer breeder, instead of using a tattoo to identify a breeder deer under Subsection (c) or (d), to identify a deer by using a Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD)-approved microchip implanted under the deer's skin.

(f) Authorizes TPWD to annually inspect a deer breeding facility that uses microchip implants to identify breeder deer to ensure compliance with this section.

SECTION 2. Amends  Sections 43.357(a-1) and (b), Parks and Wildlife Code, as follows:

(a-1) Authorizes a deer breeder, a deer breeder's authorized agent, or an assistant who is not a permittee under this subchapter (Deer Breeder's Permit) but is acting under the direction of a deer breeder or a deer breeder's authorized agent to capture a breeder deer held in a permitted facility for tagging or implanting a microchip.

(b) Authorizes the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission to make regulations governing the use of microchip implants for identifying breeder deer under this section, and makes a nonsubstantive change.

SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 2017.