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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the possession, transportation, and release of certain |
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nonindigenous snakes; increasing a criminal penalty. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 43.851(a), Parks and Wildlife Code, is |
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amended to read as follows: |
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(a) The commission by rule shall establish permits that |
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allow permit holders to possess or transport in this state a live |
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nonindigenous snake, including a hybrid of any kind, that is: |
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(1) venomous [snake]; or |
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(2) a constrictor that is one of the following: |
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(A) African rock python, Python sebae; |
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(B) Asiatic rock python, Python molurus; |
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(C) Burmese python, Python bivittatus; |
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(D) green anaconda, Eunectes murinus; |
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(E) [(D)] reticulated python, Python |
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reticulatus; or |
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(F) [(E)] southern African python, Python |
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natalensis. |
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SECTION 2. Section 43.853, Parks and Wildlife Code, is |
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amended to read as follows: |
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Sec. 43.853. RELEASE FROM CAPTIVITY. A person may not |
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intentionally, knowingly, recklessly, or with criminal negligence |
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release or allow the release from captivity of a nonindigenous |
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snake [covered by this subchapter]. |
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SECTION 3. Section 43.856, Parks and Wildlife Code, is |
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amended by amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsection (c) to |
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read as follows: |
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(a) Except as provided by Subsection (b) or (c), a person |
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who violates this subchapter or a rule adopted under this |
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subchapter commits an offense that is a Class C Parks and Wildlife |
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Code misdemeanor. |
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(c) If it is shown at the trial of the defendant for a |
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violation of this subchapter or a rule adopted under this |
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subchapter that the defendant has engaged in a commercial activity |
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without holding a required permit and the defendant has been |
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previously convicted of a violation of this subchapter or a rule |
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adopted under this subchapter, on conviction the defendant shall be |
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punished for a Class B Parks and Wildlife Code misdemeanor. |
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SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2021. |