SB 97

relating to the assessment, destruction, and release of certain
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1.  Subchapter L, Chapter 43, Parks and Wildlife
Code, is amended by adding Section 43.3635 to read as follows:
Sec. 43.3635.  RELEASE OF BREEDER DEER AFTER NEGATIVE TEST
RESULT.  Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, a
breeder deer for which a negative test result is obtained during an
epidemiological assessment conducted under Section 43.953(a) may
be released onto a release site in accordance with Section 43.361 at
any time on or before the 14th day after the date of the negative
SECTION 2.  Section 43.953(a), Parks and Wildlife Code, is
(a)  Before any deer may be destroyed under this subchapter:
(1)  an agent of the animal health commission:
(A)  shall [may] conduct an epidemiological
assessment of the deer considered for destruction; and
(B)  must obtain a positive test result from the
deer using the least intrusive test feasible, provided that the
(i)  may not be performed on tonsillar
(ii)  must be conducted at the site where the
[(A)  if the assessment can be conducted in a
[(B)  contingent on the availability of funding];
(2)  the department must consider the results of the
[an] assessment[, if] conducted[,] under Subdivision (1).
SECTION 3.  Section 43.954(b), Parks and Wildlife Code, is
(b)  A notice provided under this section must be sent by
certified mail to the last known address of the permit holder and
(1)  the date of destruction, which may not be sooner
than the 10th day after the date of the notice;
(2)  an explanation of any access restrictions imposed
on the facility or acreage covered by the permit during the
(3)  an explanation of the reasons for the destruction,
including the results of the [any] epidemiological assessment
conducted under Section 43.953(a) applicable to the deer that are
SECTION 4.  As soon as practicable after the effective date
of this Act, the Parks and Wildlife Commission shall adopt or amend
rules as necessary to comply with the changes in law made by this
SECTION 5.  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.