| |
|
|
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
|
|
|
AN ACT
|
|
|
relating to the removal of a fence surrounding a breeder deer |
|
|
release site. |
|
|
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
|
|
SECTION 1. Section 43.361, Parks and Wildlife Code, is |
|
|
amended by adding Subsections (c) and (d) to read as follows: |
|
|
(c) The owner of land that is or was registered as a release |
|
|
site with the department may remove a fence described by Subsection |
|
|
(a) if: |
|
|
(1) at least five years have elapsed from the most |
|
|
recent date breeder deer were released on the site; |
|
|
(2) the owner notifies each adjacent landowner in the |
|
|
form and manner prescribed by the department of the owner's |
|
|
intention to remove the fence; |
|
|
(3) the site has not more than a trace connection to a |
|
|
facility on which chronic wasting disease has been detected; and |
|
|
(4) the department certifies that no deer released on |
|
|
the site has been epidemiologically associated with a positive |
|
|
result of a test for chronic wasting disease. |
|
|
(d) The department may not make the certification described |
|
|
by Subsection (c)(4) unless the department has a confidence level |
|
|
of at least: |
|
|
(1) 95 percent that chronic wasting disease is not |
|
|
present at greater than five percent prevalence over a testing |
|
|
period of at least three years, if: |
|
|
(A) the release site has no connection to a |
|
|
facility on which chronic wasting disease has been detected; |
|
|
(B) all deer released on the site on or after |
|
|
April 13, 2025, display visible identification allowing for |
|
|
individual identification at a distance; and |
|
|
(C) the site has complied with all applicable |
|
|
commission rules and department registration and permitting |
|
|
requirements and has not had any violations relating to a permit |
|
|
described by Section 12.601; or |
|
|
(2) 99 percent that chronic wasting disease is not |
|
|
present at greater than one percent prevalence over a testing |
|
|
period of at least three years, if the release site: |
|
|
(A) has not more than a trace connection to a |
|
|
facility on which chronic wasting disease has been detected; and |
|
|
(B) otherwise does not satisfy the requirements |
|
|
of Subdivisions (1)(A)-(C). |
|
|
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives |
|
|
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as |
|
|
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this |
|
|
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this |
|
|
Act takes effect September 1, 2025. |