88R10860 MP-F
By: Ashby H.B. No. 5239
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to costs associated with the destruction of certain deer.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 43.955, Parks and Wildlife Code, is
amended to read as follows:
Sec. 43.955. COST RECOVERY. (a) The applicable permit
holder shall pay all costs associated with:
(1) an epidemiological assessment conducted under
this subchapter to the animal health commission; and
(2) except as provided by Subsection (b), the
destruction of deer under this subchapter to the department.
(b) The department may waive the costs associated with the
destruction under this subchapter of breeder deer at a facility
covered by a permit issued under Subchapter L if:
(1) a breeder deer at the facility has tested positive
for chronic wasting disease in a test performed by an accredited
testing laboratory; and
(2) the department determines that the breeder deer's
infection with chronic wasting disease was not the fault of the
permit holder.
SECTION 2. Section 43.955, Parks and Wildlife Code, as
amended by this Act, applies only to the payment of costs arising
from the destruction of deer commenced on or after the effective
date of this Act.
SECTION 3. 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, 2023.