82R2014 SGA-F
 
  By: Hunter, Hardcastle, et al. H.B. No. 957
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
 
  relating to regulation of the import, export, and management of
 
  mule deer; providing penalties.
         
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         
         SECTION 1.  The heading to Subchapter R, Chapter 43, Parks
 
  and Wildlife Code, is amended to read as follows:
 
  SUBCHAPTER R. WHITE-TAILED DEER MANAGEMENT PERMITS
         
         SECTION 2.  Chapter 43, Parks and Wildlife Code, is amended
 
  by adding Subchapter R-1 to read as follows:
 
  SUBCHAPTER R-1.  MULE DEER MANAGEMENT PERMITS
         
         Sec. 43.621.  PERMIT FOR DEER MANAGEMENT. (a)  The
 
  department may issue a permit for the management of the wild mule
 
  deer population.
         
         (b)  The deer managed under the permit remain the property of
 
  the people of the state, and the holder of the permit is considered
 
  to be managing the population on behalf of the state.
         
         (c)  If a special season with a special bag limit is
 
  established by the commission for holders of a deer management
 
  permit, the holder of the permit may receive compensation for
 
  granting a person permission to kill a wild deer during that special
 
  season on the acreage covered by the permit.
         
         Sec. 43.622.  MANAGEMENT PLAN. (a)  The holder of a deer
 
  management permit must annually submit a deer management plan for
 
  approval or disapproval of the department. The management plan
 
  must provide for specific management practices to be applied to the
 
  deer population on the acreage, which may include, in addition to
 
  other practices:
               
               (1)  the detention, for a period not to exceed 16
 
  months, within an enclosure on the acreage covered by the permit, of
 
  wild mule deer for the purpose of propagation with other wild deer
 
  or breeder deer, and the release of those deer on that acreage;
               
               (2)  the killing of wild deer in open seasons
 
  established by the commission in a number set in the management
 
  plan; or
               
               (3)  the killing of wild deer during a special season
 
  having a special bag limit established by the commission for this
 
  permit.
         
         (b)  A management plan approved by the department must be
 
  consistent with the regulatory responsibilities of the commission
 
  under Chapter 61.
         
         (c)  A management plan may not authorize the killing of wild
 
  deer within an enclosure designed for the temporary detention of
 
  wild deer under Subsection (a)(1).
         
         Sec. 43.623.  CONDITIONS; DURATION; FEE. (a) A permit
 
  issued under this subchapter is subject to conditions established
 
  by the commission, including conditions governing:
               
               (1)  the number of deer that may be killed on the
 
  property by a single person;
               
               (2)  the number and type of deer that may be killed or
 
  taken under the permit;
               
               (3)  the number and type of deer that may be temporarily
 
  detained in an enclosure; and
               
               (4)  the length of time that deer may be temporarily
 
  detained in an enclosure.
         
         (b)  The permit is valid for a period prescribed by the
 
  department of not less than one year.
         
         (c)  The department shall set a fee for the issuance or
 
  renewal of a permit in an amount not to exceed $1,000.
         
         Sec. 43.624.  INSPECTION. An authorized employee of the
 
  department may inspect at any time without warrant the records
 
  required by Section 43.625 and the acreage for which the permit is
 
  issued for the purpose of determining the permit holder's
 
  compliance with the management plan.
         
         Sec. 43.625.  RECORDS. The holder of a permit issued under
 
  this subchapter shall maintain, in a form prescribed by the
 
  department, an accurate record showing:
               
               (1)  the number of mule deer taken during the general
 
  open seasons and during any special seasons;
               
               (2)  the number of mule deer temporarily detained and
 
  released during the permit period; and
               
               (3)  any other information required by the department
 
  that reasonably relates to the activities covered by the permit.
         
         Sec. 43.626.  APPLICATION OF GENERAL LAWS. Except as
 
  expressly provided by this subchapter and the terms of the permit
 
  and management plan, the general laws and regulations of this state
 
  applicable to mule deer apply to deer on the acreage covered by the
 
  permit. This subchapter does not restrict or prohibit the use of
 
  high fences.
         
         Sec. 43.627.  PENALTY. (a) A person commits an offense if
 
  the person:
               
               (1)  violates this subchapter or a rule adopted under
 
  this subchapter;
               
               (2)  violates a condition of permit imposed under
 
  Section 43.623(a);
               
               (3)  fails to maintain records required by Section
 
  43.625; or
               
               (4)  kills or allows to be killed a deer temporarily
 
  detained under Section 43.622(a)(1).
         
         (b)  An offense under Subsections (a)(1)-(3) is a Class C
 
  Parks and Wildlife Code misdemeanor.
         
         (c)  An offense under Subsection (a)(4) is a Class A Parks
 
  and Wildlife Code misdemeanor.
         
         SECTION 3.  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, 2011.