BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	S.B. 948
86R11844 SLB-F	By: Kolkhorst
	Water & Rural Affairs
	4/11/2019
	As Filed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

S.B. 948 requires a release site onto which breeder deer are liberated to be surrounded by a fence that is at least seven feet tall.

Deer bred in captivity may experience health issues that could potentially harm other types of animals that live in the wild, were they to escape. Additionally, many individuals invest a good deal of time and money into breeding these deer and it is important that they be able to ensure that these deer remain where they belong.

S.B. 948 would enshrine in statute an existing Parks & Wildlife Regulation (31 TAC 65.95) that currently requires fences in release sites to be at least seven feet tall.

"Breeder deer" is defined in the code as a "white-tailed deer or mule deer legally held under a permit" (Section 43.351(1), Parks & Wildlife Code)).

S.B. 948 is designed to protect wildlife.

As proposed, S.B. 948 amends current law relating to release sites for breeder deer.

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 Subchapter L, Chapter 43, Parks and Wildlife Code, by adding Section 43.361, as follows:

Sec. 43.361. RELEASE SITES. (a) Requires 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.

(b) Provides that the owner of a release site is responsible for ensuring that the fence surrounding the release site and infrastructure associated with the fence are in a condition to retain deer as provided by Subsection (a).

SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2019.