By: Krause, et al. (Senate Sponsor - Springer) H.B. No. 3081

(In the Senate - Received from the House May 12, 2021; May 13, 2021, read first time and referred to Committee on Water, Agriculture & Rural Affairs; May 21, 2021, reported favorably by the following vote: Yeas 8, Nays 0; May 21, 2021, sent to printer.) Click here to see the committee vote

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the issuance of digital tags for the taking of certain animals.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Chapter 42, Parks and Wildlife Code, is amended by adding Section 42.0101 to read as follows:

Sec. 42.0101. DIGITAL TAGS; RULES. (a) The commission by rule may develop and implement a program for the issuance of digital tags for animals, including birds, to holders of hunting licenses authorizing the taking of those animals.

(b) A program developed under this section may include:

(1) providing for the issuance of digital tags to the holder of a hunting license;

(2) allowing a person using a digital tag to create a digital record at the time of the taking of an animal that includes information required by the department;

(3) requiring a person using a digital tag to create the digital record described by Subdivision (2) as soon as possible after the taking of the animal; and

(4) requiring a person using a digital tag to retain in the person's possession documentation of the digital record described by Subdivision (2) at all times before the carcass is finally processed.

(c) Unless the context requires otherwise, a reference under this code to a tag includes a digital tag issued under a program developed under this section.

SECTION 2. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2021.

* * * * *