BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 5259

By: Flores

Culture, Recreation & Tourism

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Every year, thousands of animal-vehicle collisions occur in Texas, causing numerous deaths and untold economic damage. The bill author has informed the committee that wildlife crossing structures, such as bridges, tunnels, and fencing designed to facilitate the passage of animals over or under roadways, can be an effective way of reducing wildlife-vehicle collisions. The author further informed the committee that Texas already has a number of such crossings, including in Memorial Park in Houston, in Hardberger Park in San Antonio, and in the Rio Grande Valley. H.B. 5259 seeks to address animal-vehicle collisions in Texas by directing the Parks and Wildlife Department to develop a plan, examine hot spots for collisions and wildlife needs, and make recommendations on where future crossings could be developed. 

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

H.B. 5259 amends the Parks and Wildlife Code to require the Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD), in consultation with the Texas Department of Transportation, to develop a wildlife corridor action plan that recommends and prioritizes wildlife crossing projects intended to promote driver safety and wildlife connectivity. The bill defines "wildlife corridor" as a designated area that connects wildlife populations and habitats that would otherwise be separated by human activities or structures. The bill requires TPWD, in developing the plan, to use the best available science and department surveys to identify, list, and describe the following:

· wildlife corridors;

· existing and planned barriers to wildlife movement along wildlife corridors;

· areas with a high risk of vehicle collisions with wildlife;

· habitats that are of high quality for priority species and ecosystem health, occupied by rare or at-risk species, or designated as critical habitat under the federal Endangered Species Act of 1973;

· migration routes of native, game, and migratory species; and

· land containing a high prevalence of existing human barriers to wildlife corridors, including roads, dams, power lines, and pipelines.

The bill requires the plan to recommend wildlife crossing projects that prioritize promotion of driver safety and wildlife connectivity, and for each recommended project, to include a description of the project and the proposed wildlife crossing infrastructure or other mitigation techniques recommended to meet plan goals.

H.B. 5259 requires TPWD to do the following:

· include in the plan maps detailing high-priority areas for wildlife corridor infrastructure and any other information necessary to meet the goals of the plan;

· submit the plan not later than December 1, 2026, to the governor, lieutenant governor, and speaker of the house of representatives;

· assist other state agencies and political subdivisions of the state, and on request any federal agency, to consider and incorporate wildlife corridors, including plan recommendations, when developing any governmental strategic plan, map, or action;

· maintain publication of the plan on TPWD's website; and

· periodically update the website with information regarding the implementation of wildlife corridor projects recommended under the plan.

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2025.