Bill Text: TX HB4270 | 2023-2024 | 88th Legislature | Introduced

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Bill Title: Relating to the classification of and regulation of the taking of aoudad sheep as game animals.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2023-03-21 - Referred to Culture, Recreation & Tourism [HB4270 Detail]

Download: Texas-2023-HB4270-Introduced.html

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88R11529 BEE-D
By: Smithee H.B. No. 4270

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the classification of and regulation of the taking of
aoudad sheep as game animals.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 1.101(4), Parks and Wildlife Code, is
amended to read as follows:
(4) "Wild," when used in reference to an animal, means
a species, including each individual of a species, that normally
lives in a state of nature and is not ordinarily domesticated. The
term [This definition] does not include exotic livestock defined by
Section 161.001(a)(4), Agriculture Code, except that the term does
include aoudad sheep.
SECTION 2. Section 43.103(3), Parks and Wildlife Code, is
amended to read as follows:
(3) "Exotic animals" includes exotic livestock and
exotic fowl as defined by Section 161.001(a), Agriculture Code,
wild animals that are nonindigenous to Texas, [aoudad sheep,] and
elk. The term does not include aoudad sheep.
SECTION 3. Section 61.054, Parks and Wildlife Code, is
amended by adding Subsection (c) to read as follows:
(c) A proclamation of the commission under this section must
provide for the taking of aoudad sheep to be regulated in the same
manner that the taking of deer is regulated under this code and
commission rule, including with respect to bag limits and carcass
removal. This subsection does not apply to the regulation of
breeder deer.
SECTION 4. Section 62.015(a), Parks and Wildlife Code, is
amended to read as follows:
(a) In this section, "exotic animal" means exotic livestock
or exotic fowl as defined by Section 161.001(a), Agriculture Code,
and [aoudad sheep, or] elk. The term does not include aoudad sheep.
SECTION 5. Section 63.001, Parks and Wildlife Code, is
amended to read as follows:
Sec. 63.001. GAME ANIMALS. (a) The following animals are
game animals: mule deer, white-tailed deer, pronghorn antelope,
desert bighorn sheep, aoudad sheep, gray or cat squirrels, fox
squirrels or red squirrels, and collared peccary or javelina.
(b) No species of any animal set out in Subsection (a) [of
this section] or any other animal is a game animal if it is not
indigenous to this state, except that aoudad sheep are game
animals.
SECTION 6. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.