BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center S.B. 2843 By: Perry Water, Agriculture and Rural Affairs 4/15/2025 As Filed AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT S.B. 2843 directs the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department to conduct a comprehensive study of current measures to control chronic wasting disease (CWD) in deer. The study will review existing practices, compare Texas' approach with those of other states, and explore whether certain deer genetics may offer resistance to the disease. This effort is designed to pinpoint areas for improvement in managing CWD, thereby protecting Texas' deer populations, hunting traditions, and overall wildlife health. As proposed, S.B. 2843 amends current law 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. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. DEFINITIONS. Defines "chronic wasting disease" and "department." SECTION 2. STUDY OF RULES AND POLICIES RELATING TO CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE REQUIRED. (a) Requires the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD), using existing resources, to conduct a study assessing the effectiveness of all agency rules and policies pertaining to the containment and management of chronic wasting disease. (b) Requires that the study required by Subsection (a), to the extent practicable, include a comparative analysis of the applicable rules and policies implemented by TPWD and the agencies of other state governments responsible for containing and managing chronic wasting disease, assess the overall benefits and deficiencies of the applicable rules and policies, include a comparative analysis of cervid genotypes to determine resistance to chronic wasting disease, and incorporate scientific and statistical data. SECTION 3. PUBLIC INPUT REQUIRED. Requires TPWD, in conducting the study required under Section 2(a), to: (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 TPWD's Internet website through which members of the public are authorized to 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) Requires TPWD, not later than December 1, 2026, to complete the study required by Section 2(a) and provide a report regarding the study's findings to the governor, the lieutenant governor, the speaker of the house of representatives, each member of the committee of the senate having primary jurisdiction over wildlife matters, and each member of the committee of the house of representatives having primary jurisdiction over wildlife matters. (b) Requires TPWD to 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. Provides that this Act expires May 31, 2027. SECTION 6. EFFECTIVE DATE. Effective date: September 1, 2025.
BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center S.B. 2843
By: Perry
Water, Agriculture and Rural Affairs
4/15/2025
As Filed
Senate Research Center
S.B. 2843
By: Perry
Water, Agriculture and Rural Affairs
4/15/2025
As Filed
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
S.B. 2843 directs the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department to conduct a comprehensive study of current measures to control chronic wasting disease (CWD) in deer. The study will review existing practices, compare Texas' approach with those of other states, and explore whether certain deer genetics may offer resistance to the disease. This effort is designed to pinpoint areas for improvement in managing CWD, thereby protecting Texas' deer populations, hunting traditions, and overall wildlife health.
As proposed, S.B. 2843 amends current law 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.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. DEFINITIONS. Defines "chronic wasting disease" and "department."
SECTION 2. STUDY OF RULES AND POLICIES RELATING TO CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE REQUIRED. (a) Requires the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD), using existing resources, to conduct a study assessing the effectiveness of all agency rules and policies pertaining to the containment and management of chronic wasting disease.
(b) Requires that the study required by Subsection (a), to the extent practicable, include a comparative analysis of the applicable rules and policies implemented by TPWD and the agencies of other state governments responsible for containing and managing chronic wasting disease, assess the overall benefits and deficiencies of the applicable rules and policies, include a comparative analysis of cervid genotypes to determine resistance to chronic wasting disease, and incorporate scientific and statistical data.
SECTION 3. PUBLIC INPUT REQUIRED. Requires TPWD, in conducting the study required under Section 2(a), to:
(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 TPWD's Internet website through which members of the public are authorized to 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) Requires TPWD, not later than December 1, 2026, to complete the study required by Section 2(a) and provide a report regarding the study's findings to the governor, the lieutenant governor, the speaker of the house of representatives, each member of the committee of the senate having primary jurisdiction over wildlife matters, and each member of the committee of the house of representatives having primary jurisdiction over wildlife matters.
(b) Requires TPWD to 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. Provides that this Act expires May 31, 2027.
SECTION 6. EFFECTIVE DATE. Effective date: September 1, 2025.