HB5259 - Relating to a wildlife corridor action plan developed by the Parks and Wildlife Department and certain other duties of the department relating to wildlife corridors.

  89R10999 MP-D     By: Flores, Cole H.B. No. 5259       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to a wildlife corridor action plan developed by the Parks   and Wildlife Department and certain other duties of the department   relating to wildlife corridors.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Chapter 12, Parks and Wildlife Code, is amended   by adding Subchapter I to read as follows:   SUBCHAPTER I.   WILDLIFE CORRIDORS           Sec. 12.801.  DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter:                 (1)     "Plan" means the wildlife corridor action plan   developed under this subchapter.                 (2)     "Wildlife corridor" means a designated area that   connects wildlife populations and habitats that would otherwise be   separated by human activities or structures.           Sec.   12.802.     WILDLIFE CORRIDOR ACTION PLAN. (a)   The   department, in consultation with the Texas Department of   Transportation, shall develop a wildlife corridor action plan that   recommends and prioritizes wildlife crossing projects intended to   promote driver safety and wildlife connectivity.           (b)     In developing the plan, the department shall use the   best available science and department surveys to identify, list,   and describe:                 (1)  wildlife corridors;                 (2)     existing and planned barriers to wildlife movement   along wildlife corridors;                 (3)     areas with a high risk of vehicle collisions with   wildlife;                 (4)  habitats that are:                       (A)     of high quality for priority species and   ecosystem health;                       (B)  occupied by rare or at-risk species; or                       (C)     designated as critical habitat under the   Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. Section 1531 et seq.);                 (5)     migration routes of native, game, and migratory   species; and                 (6)     land containing a high prevalence of existing   human barriers to wildlife corridors, including roads, dams, power   lines, and pipelines.           (c)     The plan must recommend wildlife crossing projects that   prioritize promotion of driver safety and wildlife connectivity.   For each recommended project, the plan must include a description   of the project and the proposed wildlife crossing infrastructure or   other mitigation techniques recommended to meet plan goals.           (d)     The department shall include in the plan maps detailing   high-priority areas for wildlife corridor infrastructure and any   other information necessary to meet the goals of the plan.           (e)     Not later than December 1, 2026, the department shall   submit the plan to the governor, lieutenant governor, and speaker   of the house of representatives. This subsection expires September   1, 2027.             Sec.   12.803.     COORDINATION WITH OTHER ENTITIES. The   department shall assist other state agencies and political   subdivisions of this state, and on request any federal agency, to   consider and incorporate wildlife corridors, including plan   recommendations, when developing any governmental strategic plan,   map, or action.           Sec.   12.804.     PLAN PUBLICATION AND UPDATES. The department   shall:                 (1)     maintain publication of the plan on the   department's Internet website; and                 (2)     periodically update the department's Internet   website with information regarding the implementation of wildlife   corridor projects recommended under the plan.          SECTION 2.  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.