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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to a prohibition on chronic wasting disease containment |
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zones and surveillance zones established by the Parks and Wildlife |
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Commission or the Parks and Wildlife Department. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 12, Parks and Wildlife |
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Code, is amended by adding Section 12.029 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 12.029. CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE CONTAINMENT ZONES AND |
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SURVEILLANCE ZONES PROHIBITED. (a) In this section: |
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(1) "Chronic wasting disease containment zone" means a |
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geographic area defined by the commission or the department where: |
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(A) chronic wasting disease is detected; or |
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(B) using the best available science and data, |
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the commission or the department determines chronic wasting disease |
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detection is probable. |
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(2) "Chronic wasting disease surveillance zone" means |
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a geographic area defined by the commission or the department |
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where, using the best available science and data, the commission or |
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the department determines the presence of chronic wasting disease |
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could reasonably be expected. |
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(b) The commission or the department may not: |
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(1) designate or maintain a designation for a |
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geographic area as a chronic wasting disease containment zone or |
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surveillance zone; or |
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(2) otherwise designate or maintain a designation for |
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a geographic area in a manner that regulates the activities in the |
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geographic area of the holder of a license or permit issued under |
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this code based on the detection or expected presence of chronic |
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wasting disease in that area. |
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SECTION 2. On the effective date of this Act, a chronic |
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wasting disease containment zone or surveillance zone, as defined |
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by Section 12.029, Parks and Wildlife Code, as added by this Act, |
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that was established before the effective date of this Act is |
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abolished. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives |
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a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as |
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provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this |
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Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this |
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Act takes effect September 1, 2025. |