BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	H.B. 4544
	By: Meyer; Murphy (Fallon)
	Intergovernmental Relations
	5/17/2019
	Engrossed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

Numerous municipalities, especially those growing at a rapid rate, have experienced run-ins with wild animals as they expand and develop. In particular, coyotes have been responsible for numerous attacks on pets, small animals, and even joggers in urban and suburban areas.

H.B. 4544 will empower cities with a population density of 2,500 or more per square mile to capture, relocate, and euthanize coyotes in the city limits and in the city's extraterritorial jurisdiction. The bill also authorizes the municipality to seek the assistance of Texas Wildlife Services to do so.

H.B. 4544 amends current law relating to municipal control of coyotes.

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 Chapter 825, Health and Safety Code, by adding Subchapter D, as follows:

SUBCHAPTER D. CONTROL OF PREDATORY ANIMALS

Sec. 825.051. MUNICIPAL CONTROL OF COYOTES. Authorizes a municipality with a population density of more than 2,500 persons per square mile to capture, relocate, or euthanize a coyote located within the municipality or the municipality's extraterritorial jurisdiction. Authorizes a municipality to request assistance from Texas Wildlife Services to capture, relocate, or euthanize a coyote.

SECTION 2. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2019. �