85R9191 SLB-F
By: Estes S.B. No. 1720
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 to read as follows:
Sec. 43.3561. IDENTIFICATION OF BREEDER DEER. (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
programmed to contain the alphanumeric number described by
Subdivision (1).
(b) 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.
(c) Except as provided by Subsection (e), a [(b) A] person
may not remove or knowingly permit the removal of a breeder deer
held in a facility by a permittee under this subchapter unless the
breeder deer has been permanently and legibly tattooed in one ear
with the unique identification number assigned to the breeder in
lawful possession of the breeder deer and specific to the breeding
facility in which the breeder deer was born or initially introduced
if from an out-of-state source.
(d) Except as provided by Subsection (e), a [(c) A] person
may not knowingly accept or permit the acceptance of a breeder deer
into a facility regulated under this subchapter unless the breeder
deer has been permanently and legibly tattooed in one ear with the
unique identification number assigned to the breeder in lawful
possession of the breeder deer and specific to the facility in which
the breeder deer was born or initially introduced if from an
out-of-state source.
(e) Instead of using a tattoo to identify a breeder deer
under Subsection (c) or (d), a deer breeder may identify a deer by
using a department-approved microchip implanted under the deer's
skin.
(f) The department annually may inspect a deer breeding
facility that uses microchip implants to identify breeder deer to
ensure compliance with this section.
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.