By: Murr H.B. No. 73
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to landowner liability arising in connection with
  livestock or agricultural land.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Chapter 75, Civil Practice and Remedies Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         Sec. 75.006.  LIABILITY LIMITED FOR ACTIONS OF FIREFIGHTER,
  FEDERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER, OR PEACE OFFICER, OR TRESPASSER.
  (a) In this Section:
               (1)  "Federal law enforcement officer" means a law
  enforcement officer as defined by 5 U.S.C. Section 8331(20).
               (2)  "Firefighter" means a member of a fire department
  who performs a function listed in Section 419.021(3)(C), Government
  Code.
               (3)  "Livestock" has the meaning assigned by Section
  1.003, Agriculture Code.
               (4)  "Peace officer" has the meaning assigned by
  Section 1.07, Penal Code, or other state or federal law.
               (5)  "Trespasser" has the meaning defined by Section
  75.007(a), Civil Practice and Remedies Code.
         (b) A landowner or lessee is not liable for damages arising
  from any incident or accident caused byinvolving livestock of the
  landowner or lessee due to:
               (1)  An act or omission of a firefighter or a peace
  officer who has entered the landowner's property with or without
  the permission of the landowner, regardless of whether the damage
  occurs on the landowner's property;
               (2)  An act or omission by a trespasser who enters the
  landowner’s property or third party that damages the fence on the
  property, whether by vehicle or otherwise; or
               (3)  Due to wildlife, acts of God or by other causes
  beyond the control of the landowner.
         (c)  An owner, lessee, or occupant of agricultural land is
  not liable for any damage or injury to any person or property,
  regardless of whether the damage or injury occurs on the
  agricultural land, that arises from:
               (1)  the actions of a peace officer or federal law
  enforcement officer when the officer enters or causes another
  person to enter the agricultural land with or without the
  permission of the owner, lessee, or occupant;
               (2)  by a trespasser who enters the landowner’s
  property or third party who damages the fence on the property,
  whether by vehicle or otherwise; or
               (3)  due to wildlife, acts of God or by other causes
  beyond the control of the landowner.
         (d)  The owner, lessee, or occupant of agricultural land is
  not liable for any damage or injury to any person or property that
  arises from the actions of an individual who, because of the actions
  of a peace officer or federal law enforcement officer, the actions
  of a trespasser who enters the landowner’s property or third party
  who damages the fence on the property, whether by vehicle or
  otherwise, or due to wildlife, acts of God or other causes beyond
  the control of the landowner, enters or causes another person to
  enter the agricultural land without the permission of the owner,
  lessee, or occupant.
         (e)  This section does not limit the liability of an owner,
  lessee, or occupant of agricultural land for any damage or injury
  that arises from a wilful or wanton act or gross negligence by the
  owner, lessee, or occupant.
         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, 2023.