By: Perry S.B. No. 2843
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to a study of the effectiveness of rules implemented by the
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department governing the management of
chronic wasting disease and of cervid resistance to chronic wasting
disease.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. DEFINITIONS. In this Act:
(1) "Chronic wasting disease" means a transmissible
spongiform encephalopathy infecting cervids.
(2) "Department" means the Texas Parks and Wildlife
Department.
SECTION 2. STUDY OF RULES AND POLICIES RELATING TO CHRONIC
WASTING DISEASE REQUIRED. (a) Using existing resources, the
department shall conduct a study assessing the effectiveness of all
agency rules and policies pertaining to the containment and
management of chronic wasting disease.
(b) The study required by Subsection (a) shall, to the
extent practicable:
(1) include a comparative analysis of the applicable
rules and policies implemented by the department and agencies of
other state governments responsible for containing and managing
chronic wasting disease;
(2) assess the overall benefits and deficiencies of
the applicable rules and policies;
(3) include a comparative analysis of cervid genotypes
to determine resistance to chronic wasting disease; and
(4) incorporate scientific and statistical data.
SECTION 3. PUBLIC INPUT REQUIRED. In conducting the study
required under Section 2(a), the department shall:
(1) hold a hearing in a publicly accessible location
to provide a public forum for the submission of written and oral
testimony from members of the public regarding the applicable rules
and policies; and
(2) provide an online forum on the department's
Internet website through which members of the public may submit
commentary regarding the applicable rules and policies for not less
than 60 days; and
(3) respond to each public comment submitted during
the hearing or through the Internet portal required by Subdivisions
(1) and (2) respectively.
SECTION 4. SUBMISSION DEADLINE. (a) Not later than
December 1, 2026, the department shall complete the study required
by Section 2(a) and provide a report regarding the study's findings
to:
(1) the governor;
(2) the lieutenant governor;
(3) the speaker of the house of representatives;
(4) each member of the committee of the senate having
primary jurisdiction over wildlife matters; and
(5) each member of the committee of the house of
representatives having primary jurisdiction over wildlife matters.
(b) The department shall make the report required by
Subsection (a) available to any member of the Legislature or any
member of the public upon request and at no cost to the requestor.
SECTION 5. EXPIRATION. This Act expires May 31, 2027.
SECTION 6. EFFECTIVE DATE. This Act takes effect September
1, 2025.