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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the protection of bats. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 63.101, Parks and Wildlife Code, is |
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amended to read as follows: |
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Sec. 63.101. PROTECTION OF BATS. (a) Except as provided by |
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Subsections (b), (b-1), and (c), a [no] person may not: |
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(1) confine or hunt a bat; or |
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(2) sell, offer for sale, purchase, offer to purchase, |
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or possess after purchase a bat or any part of a bat, dead or alive. |
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(b) Subject to Subsection (b-1), a [A] bat may be removed or |
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hunted if the bat is inside or on a building occupied by people. |
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(b-1) A bat or bat colony using a building or structure as a |
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roost site may be controlled only by a nonlethal exclusion method |
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that allows bats to leave but not reenter the building or structure. |
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The exclusion method described by this subsection may not be |
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implemented during the period each year beginning May 1 and ending |
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August 31. |
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(c) This section does not apply to: |
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(1) an animal control officer, a peace officer, a |
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licensed pest control professional, or a health official who |
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captures a bat that the officer, professional, or official |
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considers injured or diseased; or |
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(2) a person who transports a bat for the purpose of: |
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(A) laboratory testing if the bat has exposed or |
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potentially exposed humans or domestic animals to rabies; or |
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(B) rehabilitation at a registered |
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rehabilitation facility if the bat has had no known prior exposure |
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with humans |
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[(3) a person who is licensed to provide pest control |
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services]. |
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SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025. |