Texas House Bill HB2434

Texas 2013 - 83rd Regular

Caption

Relating to prohibiting the production or distribution of certain records of field trials or the process of hunting or catching wildlife; providing a civil remedy and creating an offense.

Impact

If enacted, this bill will lead to amendments in the Parks and Wildlife Code, particularly in Section 62.0125, where new subsections will delineate conditions under which recordings may not be obtained without permission. This creates a clear legal boundary that reinforces the rights of landowners against potential violations by those wishing to document hunting occurrences. Additionally, landowners will now have the ability to seek civil remedies against violators, with the possibility of claiming damages that could amount to three times the actual damages incurred, in addition to covering court costs and attorney fees.

Summary

House Bill 2434 proposes to enhance the privacy rights of landowners regarding their property during hunting activities. The bill aims to prohibit individuals from producing or distributing audio, visual, or audiovisual records of field trials or the process of hunting and capturing wildlife on a landowner's property without the expressed consent of the landowner or their agent. This legislative move underscores the importance of protecting the integrity and privacy of private lands during hunting activities, which can sometimes be subjected to unauthorized recording and distribution.

Contention

While the bill generally addresses privacy rights, there may be differing opinions regarding its implications for hunting practices. Some may argue that such restrictions could hinder transparency and public oversight of hunting activities on private lands, potentially allowing for unethical practices to occur without scrutiny. On the flip side, proponents maintain that the necessity of landowner consent is paramount in preserving the legitimate rights of property owners, particularly in the context of protecting their private property from unwanted attention and scrutiny.