BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

Senate Research Center	S.B. 1245
	By: Blanco
	Water, Agriculture and Rural Affairs
	6/23/2025
	Enrolled

 

 

 

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

 

Aoudad sheep, originally introduced in West Texas in the 1950s, have since established large and rapidly growing populations across the Trans-Pecos region. This species offers valuable hunting opportunities, but their high reproductive rates and adaptability pose a serious threat to native wildlife.

 

Aoudads have broader dietary flexibility and occupy the same habitats as the native species, mule deer and desert bighorn sheep, often outcompeting them for limited resources. Additionally, aoudad sheep pose a significant health risk to these native species as they carry Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae (M. ovi.), a pneumonia-causing bacteria. Desert bighorn sheep in particular, have contracted these infections, resulting in a rapid decrease of the native population. The Borderlands Research Institute, along with partnering agencies, found that this bacterium has resulted in the mortality of at least half of the desert bighorn sheep population since 2019. 

 

Aoudad sheep pose a significant risk to native species, and expanding hunting regulations can help mitigate this threat. To protect native wildlife, including desert bighorn sheep, S.B. 1245 will amend Section 43.1075, Parks and Wildlife Code, to include aoudad sheep. This bill will allow landowners or their authorized agents to contract a hunter or observer to use a helicopter for aoudad removal, helping management of their rapidly growing population.

 

S.B. 1245 amends current law relating to the taking of aoudad sheep by using a helicopter.

 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

 

Rulemaking authority is expressly granted to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission in SECTION 2 of this bill.

 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

 

SECTION 1. Amends Section 43.1075, Parks and Wildlife Code, to authorize a qualified landowner or landowner's agent, under the authority of a permit issued under Subchapter G (Permits to Manage Wildlife and Exotic Animals From Aircraft), as determined by Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission (TPWC) rule, to contract to participate as a hunter or observer in using a helicopter to take certain depredating species, including aoudad sheep, and to make nonsubstantive changes.

 

SECTION 2. Requires TPWC, as soon as practicable after the effective date of this Act, to adopt or amend rules as necessary to implement the change in law made by this Act.

 

SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 2025.