HB 2842

H.B. No. 2842
  AN ACT
  relating to the control by lethal means of white-tailed deer in
  certain areas.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 43.151, Parks and Wildlife Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         Sec. 43.151.  THREATS TO PUBLIC SAFETY OR DAMAGE BY
  WILDLIFE; NOTICE OF WHITE-TAILED DEER POPULATION CONTROL IN CERTAIN
  AREAS.  (a)  A person who has evidence clearly showing that wildlife
  protected by this code is causing serious damage to commercial
  agricultural, horticultural, or aquicultural interests, or is a
  threat to public safety, and who desires to kill the protected
  wildlife shall give written notice of the facts to the department.
         (b)  A political subdivision, a state agency, a federal
  agency, an institution of higher education, or a property owners'
  association as defined by Section 202.001, Property Code, that
  desires to control by lethal means a white-tailed deer population
  shall submit to the department written notice of evidence
  demonstrating:
               (1)  the use of lethal means is necessary to prevent the
  deer from damaging the habitat of one or more species listed by the
  United States Department of the Interior or an agency of this state
  as endangered or threatened; or
               (2)  the entity is experiencing an overpopulation of
  deer on property the entity owns or manages and recreational
  hunting is not feasible for controlling the deer population.
         SECTION 2.  Section 43.1515, Parks and Wildlife Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         Sec. 43.1515.  RULES.  The commission may adopt rules to
  implement this subchapter, including rules governing:
               (1)  reports that must be submitted to the department
  by a person who holds a permit issued by the department under this
  subchapter;
               (2)  the reinstatement of a canceled permit and a fee
  for the reinstatement;
               (3)  the possession of wildlife resources taken or held
  under this subchapter;
               (4)  the circumstances required to qualify for a
  permit; [and]
               (5)  the electronic issuance of permits; and
               (6)  the means, methods, times, and locations of
  killing protected wildlife.
         SECTION 3.  Section 43.152, Parks and Wildlife Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         Sec. 43.152.  DEPARTMENT INSPECTION.  (a)  On receiving
  notice from a person under Section 43.151(a) [43.151], the
  department may inspect the property and determine if damage or a
  threat to public safety is occurring as alleged in the notice.
         (b)  If the notice received by the department under Section
  43.151(a) [43.151] alleges damage or a threat to public safety
  caused by mule deer, pronghorn antelope, or desert bighorn sheep,
  the department may not issue a permit under Section 43.154 unless
  the department inspects the property and determines whether serious
  damage or a threat to public safety is occurring.
         (c)  On receiving notice from an entity under Section
  43.151(b), the department may inspect the habitat or property
  referenced in the notice to:
               (1)  assess deer management plans in the habitat
  relating to one or more species listed by the United States
  Department of the Interior or an agency of this state as endangered
  or threatened; or
               (2)  determine whether the entity is experiencing an
  overpopulation of white-tailed deer on the property and whether
  recreational hunting for controlling the deer population is
  feasible.
         SECTION 4.  Sections 43.153(a) and (b), Parks and Wildlife
  Code, are amended to read as follows:
         (a)  A person described by Section 43.151(a) or an authorized
  representative of an entity described by Section 43.151(b) [who has
  evidence of damage by depredation or threat to public safety] may
  file with the department an application for a permit to kill the
  protected wildlife.
         (b)  The application must be in writing, be sworn to by the
  applicant, and contain:
               (1)  a statement of facts relating to, as applicable:
                     (A)  the damage or threat;
                     (B)  the feasibility of recreational hunting; or
                     (C)  the need to control overpopulation to prevent
  damage to the habitat of one or more species listed by the United
  States Department of the Interior or an agency of this state as
  endangered or threatened; and
               (2)  an agreement by the applicant to comply with the
  provisions of this subchapter and any rules adopted by the
  commission under this subchapter.
         SECTION 5.  Section 62.006, Parks and Wildlife Code, is
  amended by adding Subsection (c) to read as follows:
         (c)  This section does not apply to:
               (1)  an entity described by Section 43.151(b) that
  employs a person for compensation or promise of compensation to
  control by lethal means white-tailed deer as authorized under a
  permit issued under Subchapter H, Chapter 43; or
               (2)  a person employed as described by Subdivision (1).
         SECTION 6.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.
  ______________________________
  ______________________________
     President of the Senate
  Speaker of the House     
         I certify that H.B. No. 2842 was passed by the House on April
  30, 2025, by the following vote:  Yeas 106, Nays 28, 1 present, not
  voting.
  ______________________________
  Chief Clerk of the House   
         I certify that H.B. No. 2842 was passed by the Senate on May
  21, 2025, by the following vote:  Yeas 31, Nays 0.
  ______________________________
  Secretary of the Senate    
  APPROVED:  _____________________
                     Date          
            _____________________
                   Governor