Relating to the removal of a fence surrounding a breeder deer release site.

89(R) HB 4543 - Introduced version - Bill Text

89R8705 BEE-F

By: Orr

H.B. No. 4543

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the removal of a fence surrounding a breeder deer

release site.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Section 43.361, Parks and Wildlife Code, is

amended by adding Subsections (c) and (d) to read as follows:

(c)

The owner of land that is or was registered as a release

site with the department may remove a fence described by Subsection

(a) if:

(1)

at least five years have elapsed from the most

recent date breeder deer were released on the site;

(2)

the owner notifies each adjacent landowner in the

form and manner prescribed by the department of the owner's

intention to remove the fence;

(3)

the site has not more than a trace connection to a

facility on which chronic wasting disease has been detected; and

(4)

the department certifies that no deer released on

the site has been epidemiologically associated with a positive

result of a test for chronic wasting disease.

(d)

The department may not make the certification described

by Subsection (c)(4) unless the department has a confidence level

of at least:

(1)

95 percent that chronic wasting disease is not

present at greater than five percent prevalence over a five-year

testing period, if:

(A)

the release site has no connection to a

facility on which chronic wasting disease has been detected;

(B)

all deer released on the site display visible

identification allowing for individual identification at a

distance; and

(C)

the site has complied with all applicable

commission rules and department registration and permitting

requirements and has not had any violations relating to a permit

described by Section 12.601; or

(2)

99 percent that chronic wasting disease is not

present at greater than one percent prevalence over a five-year

testing period, if the release site:

(A)

has not more than a trace connection to a

facility on which chronic wasting disease has been detected; and

(B)

otherwise does not satisfy the requirements

of Subdivisions (1)(A)-(C).

SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.