By: Eckhardt S.B. No. 1285

(In the Senate - Filed February 14, 2025; February 28, 2025, read first time and referred to Committee on Water, Agriculture and Rural Affairs; April 29, 2025, reported adversely, with favorable Committee Substitute by the following vote: Yeas 8, Nays 1; April 29, 2025, sent to printer.) Click here to see the committee vote

COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR S.B. No. 1285 By: Hancock

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the protection of bats.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Section 63.101, Parks and Wildlife Code, is amended by amending Subsections (a) and (c) and adding Subsection (b-1) to read as follows:

(a) Except as provided by Subsections (b) and (c), a [no] person may not:

(1) entomb or hunt a live bat; or

(2) sell, offer for sale, purchase, offer to purchase, or possess after purchase a bat or any part of a bat, dead or alive.

(b-1) A bat or bat colony using a building or structure not occupied by people as a roost site may be controlled only by a nonlethal exclusion method that allows bats to leave but not reenter the building or structure. The exclusion method described by this subsection may not be implemented during the period each year beginning May 1 and ending August 31.

(c) This section does not apply to:

(1) an animal control officer, a peace officer, a licensed pest control professional, or a health official who captures a bat that the officer, professional, or official considers injured or diseased; or

(2) a person who transports a bat for the purpose of:

(A) laboratory testing if the bat has exposed or potentially exposed humans or domestic animals to rabies; or

(B) rehabilitation at a permitted rehabilitation facility if the bat has had no known prior exposure with humans

[(3) a person who is licensed to provide pest control services].

SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.

* * * * *