SB 2031

relating to the removal of a fence surrounding a breeder deer
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
(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
(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
(1)  95 percent that chronic wasting disease is not
present at greater than five percent prevalence over a five-year
(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
(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
SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.