S.B. No. 1372
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 OF ASSESSMENT AND DESTRUCTION OF DEER
[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) Except as provided by Subsection (c), the department
shall waive the costs associated with the destruction under this
subchapter of breeder deer at a facility covered by a permit issued
under Subchapter L where a breeder deer has tested positive for
chronic wasting disease in a test performed by a testing laboratory
accredited by the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service of the
United States Department of Agriculture.
(c) The department may not waive costs under Subsection (b)
if the department determines that the permit holder or an agent of
the permit holder, in violation of this chapter or a regulation of
the commission, caused:
(1) the introduction of chronic wasting disease into
the facility; or
(2) a delay in the detection of chronic wasting
disease at the facility.
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.
______________________________ ______________________________
President of the Senate Speaker of the House
I hereby certify that S.B. No. 1372 passed the Senate on
April 3, 2023, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0.
______________________________
Secretary of the Senate
I hereby certify that S.B. No. 1372 passed the House on
May 2, 2023, by the following vote: Yeas 142, Nays 2, three
present not voting.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House
Approved:
______________________________
Date
______________________________
Governor