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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the ownership of deer in this state. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 1.011, Parks and Wildlife Code, is |
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amended by amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsection (a-1) to |
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read as follows: |
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(a) Except as provided by Subsection (a-1), all [All] wild |
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animals, fur-bearing animals, wild birds, and wild fowl inside the |
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borders of this state are the property of the people of this state. |
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(a-1) A deer is the personal property of the owner of the |
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tract of land on which the deer is located, provided the tract of |
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land is surrounded by a fence not less than seven feet in height |
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that is capable of retaining the deer at all times under reasonable |
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and ordinary circumstances. |
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SECTION 2. Section 1.013, Parks and Wildlife Code, is |
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amended to read as follows: |
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Sec. 1.013. FENCES. This code does not prohibit or |
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restrict the owner or occupant of land from constructing or |
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maintaining a fence of any height on the land owned or occupied, and |
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an owner or occupant who constructs such a fence is not liable for |
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the restriction of the movement of wild animals by the fence. |
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Except as provided by Section 1.011(a-1), the [The] existence of a |
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fence does not affect the status of wild animals as property of the |
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people of this state. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025. |