89R18932 MP-D
By: Hughes S.B. No. 2801
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to a permit issued by the Parks and Wildlife Department for
certain hunting dog field trials; authorizing a fee.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Chapter 43, Parks and Wildlife Code, is amended
by adding Subchapter J to read as follows:
SUBCHAPTER J. FIELD TRIAL PERMIT
Sec. 43.251. DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter:
(1) "Field trial" means a competitive hunting dog
event where dogs chase or pursue squirrels, fur-bearing animals, or
nongame animals under field conditions.
(2) "Field trial permit" means a permit issued under
Section 43.252.
(3) "Fur-bearing animal" has the meaning assigned by
Section 71.001.
(4) "Nongame" has the meaning assigned by Section
67.001.
(5) "Squirrel" means gray or cat squirrels, fox
squirrels, or red squirrels.
Sec. 43.252. FIELD TRIAL PERMIT. (a) A person may apply to
the department in the manner prescribed by commission rules for a
permit under this section exempting registered participants in a
field trial held by the person from the hunting license
requirements of Chapter 42 while the individuals are participating
in the field trial.
(b) The department may issue a permit under this section
only for a field trial held on privately owned land or on public
land authorized under commission rules adopted under Section
43.253(a).
(c) An application for a field trial permit must:
(1) be on a form prescribed by the department; and
(2) contain the following information:
(A) the name and address of the applicant;
(B) the address of the property on which the
field trial is to be held;
(C) the species of wildlife to be pursued in the
field trial;
(D) if applicable, the name of the hunting dog
club or organization sanctioning the field trial; and
(E) any other information required by the
department.
(d) The fee for a field trial permit is $50.
(e) A field trial permit is valid:
(1) for a period of nine consecutive days; and
(2) only on the land specified in the permit.
Sec. 43.253. COMMISSION RULES. (a) The commission shall
adopt rules specifying the public lands for which a field trial
permit may be issued.
(b) The commission may adopt rules as necessary to
administer this subchapter, including rules necessary to manage and
protect wildlife subject to a field trial permit.
Sec. 43.254. HUNTING LICENSE NOT REQUIRED DURING FIELD
TRIAL. An individual registered to participate in a field trial
held under a field trial permit is exempt from the hunting license
requirements of Chapter 42 while the individual is participating in
the field trial.
SECTION 2. As soon as practicable after the effective date
of this Act, the Parks and Wildlife Commission shall adopt rules
necessary to implement Subchapter J, Chapter 43, Parks and Wildlife
Code, as added by 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, 2025.