BILL ANALYSIS

S.B. 948

By: Kolkhorst

Culture, Recreation & Tourism

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

It has been noted that some deer bred in captivity may experience health issues that could potentially harm other types of animals that live in the wild should the deer escape captivity. There have been calls to ensure that the individuals who invest time and money into deer breeding are able to keep these animals in captivity. S.B. 948 seeks to address this issue by providing for certain requirements regarding release sites for breeder deer.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

S.B. 948 amends the Parks and Wildlife Code to require a release site onto which breeder deer are liberated to be surrounded by a fence not less than seven feet in height that is capable of retaining deer at all times under reasonable and ordinary circumstances. The bill makes the owner of a release site responsible for ensuring that the fence surrounding the release site and infrastructure associated with the fence are in a condition to retain deer in such a manner.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2019.