HB4543 - Relating to the removal of a fence surrounding a breeder deer release site.

  89R8705 BEE-F     By: Orr H.B. No. 4543       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to the removal of a fence surrounding a breeder deer   release site.          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   (a) if:                 (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   intention to remove the fence;                 (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   of at least:                 (1)     95 percent that chronic wasting disease is not   present at greater than five percent prevalence over a five-year   testing period, if:                       (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   distance; and                       (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   of Subdivisions (1)(A)-(C).          SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.