Relating to a wildlife corridor action plan developed by the Parks and Wildlife Department and certain other duties of the department relating to wildlife corridors.

89(R) HB 5259 - House Committee Report version - Bill Text

89R10999 MP-D

By: Flores, Cole

H.B. No. 5259

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to a wildlife corridor action plan developed by the Parks

and Wildlife Department and certain other duties of the department

relating to wildlife corridors.

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

SECTION 1. Chapter 12, Parks and Wildlife Code, is amended

by adding Subchapter I to read as follows:

SUBCHAPTER I.

WILDLIFE CORRIDORS

Sec. 12.801. DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter:

(1)

"Plan" means the wildlife corridor action plan

developed under this subchapter.

(2)

"Wildlife corridor" means a designated area that

connects wildlife populations and habitats that would otherwise be

separated by human activities or structures.

Sec.

12.802.

WILDLIFE CORRIDOR ACTION PLAN. (a)

The

department, in consultation with the Texas Department of

Transportation, shall develop a wildlife corridor action plan that

recommends and prioritizes wildlife crossing projects intended to

promote driver safety and wildlife connectivity.

(b)

In developing the plan, the department shall use the

best available science and department surveys to identify, list,

and describe:

(1) wildlife corridors;

(2)

existing and planned barriers to wildlife movement

along wildlife corridors;

(3)

areas with a high risk of vehicle collisions with

wildlife;

(4) habitats that are:

(A)

of high quality for priority species and

ecosystem health;

(B) occupied by rare or at-risk species; or

(C)

designated as critical habitat under the

Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. Section 1531 et seq.);

(5)

migration routes of native, game, and migratory

species; and

(6)

land containing a high prevalence of existing

human barriers to wildlife corridors, including roads, dams, power

lines, and pipelines.

(c)

The plan must recommend wildlife crossing projects that

prioritize promotion of driver safety and wildlife connectivity.

For each recommended project, the plan must include a description

of the project and the proposed wildlife crossing infrastructure or

other mitigation techniques recommended to meet plan goals.

(d)

The department shall include in the plan maps detailing

high-priority areas for wildlife corridor infrastructure and any

other information necessary to meet the goals of the plan.

(e)

Not later than December 1, 2026, the department shall

submit the plan to the governor, lieutenant governor, and speaker

of the house of representatives. This subsection expires September

1, 2027.

Sec.

12.803.

COORDINATION WITH OTHER ENTITIES. The

department shall assist other state agencies and political

subdivisions of this state, and on request any federal agency, to

consider and incorporate wildlife corridors, including plan

recommendations, when developing any governmental strategic plan,

map, or action.

Sec.

12.804.

PLAN PUBLICATION AND UPDATES. The department

shall:

(1)

maintain publication of the plan on the

department's Internet website; and

(2)

periodically update the department's Internet

website with information regarding the implementation of wildlife

corridor projects recommended under the plan.

SECTION 2. 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.