87R3814 MP-F
 
  By: Frullo H.B. No. 2326
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the possession, transportation, and release of certain
  nonindigenous snakes; increasing a criminal penalty.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 43.851(a), Parks and Wildlife Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (a)  The commission by rule shall establish permits that
  allow permit holders to possess or transport in this state a live
  nonindigenous snake, including a hybrid of any kind, that is:
               (1)  venomous [snake]; or
               (2)  a constrictor that is one of the following:
                     (A)  African rock python, Python sebae;
                     (B)  Asiatic rock python, Python molurus;
                     (C)  Burmese python, Python bivittatus;
                     (D)  green anaconda, Eunectes murinus;
                     (E) [(D)]  reticulated python, Python
  reticulatus; or
                     (F) [(E)]  southern African python, Python
  natalensis.
         SECTION 2.  Section 43.853, Parks and Wildlife Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         Sec. 43.853.  RELEASE FROM CAPTIVITY. A person may not
  intentionally, knowingly, recklessly, or with criminal negligence
  release or allow the release from captivity of a nonindigenous
  snake [covered by this subchapter].
         SECTION 3.  Section 43.856, Parks and Wildlife Code, is
  amended by amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsection (c) to
  read as follows:
         (a)  Except as provided by Subsection (b) or (c), a person
  who violates this subchapter or a rule adopted under this
  subchapter commits an offense that is a Class C Parks and Wildlife
  Code misdemeanor.
         (c)  If it is shown at the trial of the defendant for a
  violation of this subchapter or a rule adopted under this
  subchapter that the defendant has engaged in a commercial activity
  without holding a required permit and the defendant has been
  previously convicted of a violation of this subchapter or a rule
  adopted under this subchapter, on conviction the defendant shall be
  punished for a Class B Parks and Wildlife Code misdemeanor.
         SECTION 4.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.