85R22940 SLB-F
By: Paddie, Herrero, Larson, Kuempel, et al. H.B. No. 2855
Substitute the following for H.B. No. 2855:
By: Martinez C.S.H.B. No. 2855
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the identification of breeder deer by use of microchip
implants.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 43.3561, Parks and Wildlife Code, is
amended by amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsections (a-1) and
(a-2) to read as follows:
(a) Not later than March 31 of the year following the year in
which a [the] breeder deer is born, the [a] breeder deer held in a
permitted deer breeding facility must be identified by:
(1) placing on each breeder deer possessed by the deer
breeder a single, reasonably visible, durable identification tag
bearing an alphanumeric number of not more than four characters
assigned by the department to the breeding facility in which the
breeder deer was born and unique to that breeder deer; or
(2) implanting in the breeder deer a microchip that is
recognized by the United States Department of Agriculture for the
identification of animals.
(a-1) A deer breeder is not required to remove the durable
identification tag or microchip for any purpose but may remove the
tag or microchip and replace the tag or microchip immediately to
meet the requirements of this section.
(a-2) A deer breeder that uses a microchip for the
identification of breeder deer shall make available a microchip
reader for use by personnel of the department and the Texas Animal
Health Commission.
SECTION 2. Sections 43.357(a-1) and (b), Parks and Wildlife
Code, are amended to read as follows:
(a-1) A deer breeder, a deer breeder's authorized agent, or
an assistant who is not a permittee under this subchapter but is
acting under the direction of a deer breeder or a deer breeder's
authorized agent may capture a breeder deer held in a permitted
facility for:
(1) removal from an enclosure;
(2) veterinary treatment;
(3) tagging or implanting a microchip;
(4) euthanasia for the purpose of:
(A) humane dispatch of the breeder deer; or
(B) the conduct of a test for a reportable
disease as required by law; or
(5) any other purpose required or allowed by law.
(b) The commission may make regulations governing:
(1) the possession of breeder deer held under the
authority of this subchapter;
(2) the recapture of lawfully possessed breeder deer
that have escaped from the facility of a deer breeder;
(3) permit applications and fees;
(4) reporting requirements;
(5) procedures and requirements for the purchase,
transfer, sale, or shipment of breeder deer;
(6) the endorsement of a deer breeder facility by a
certified wildlife biologist;
(7) the number of breeder deer that a deer breeder may
possess; [and]
(8) the dates for which a deer breeder permit is valid;
and
(9) the use of microchip implants for identifying
breeder deer under this section.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2017.