89R9357 MP-F
By: Eckhardt S.B. No. 1285
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the protection of bats.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 63.101, Parks and Wildlife Code, is
amended to read as follows:
Sec. 63.101. PROTECTION OF BATS. (a) Except as provided by
Subsections (b), (b-1), and (c), a [no] person may not:
(1) confine or hunt a bat; or
(2) sell, offer for sale, purchase, offer to purchase,
or possess after purchase a bat or any part of a bat, dead or alive.
(b) Subject to Subsection (b-1), a [A] bat may be removed or
hunted if the bat is inside or on a building occupied by people.
(b-1) A bat or bat colony using a building or structure as a
roost site may be controlled only by a nonlethal exclusion method
that allows bats to leave but not reenter the building or structure.
The exclusion method described by this subsection may not be
implemented during the period each year beginning May 1 and ending
August 31.
(c) This section does not apply to:
(1) an animal control officer, a peace officer, a
licensed pest control professional, or a health official who
captures a bat that the officer, professional, or official
considers injured or diseased; or
(2) a person who transports a bat for the purpose of:
(A) laboratory testing if the bat has exposed or
potentially exposed humans or domestic animals to rabies; or
(B) rehabilitation at a registered
rehabilitation facility if the bat has had no known prior exposure
with humans
[(3) a person who is licensed to provide pest control
services].
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.