SB 1215: farm-raised oysters can go into natural beds

Caption

relating to the placement of a cultivated oyster in a natural oyster bed, a private oyster bed, or coastal waters.

Summary

With written approval from Parks and Wildlife.

The bill lets a person put farm-raised (cultivated) oysters into natural oyster beds, private oyster beds, or coastal waters if the Parks and Wildlife Department approves it in writing. It touches oyster farmers and anyone working on reef restoration, and it tells the department to write best management practices for these approvals. On the ground, the current flat ban on placing cultivated oysters in those spots becomes a permit-based system, and the ban now also expressly covers coastal waters, starting September 1, 2025.

Receipt

The receipt

89R-SB1215 · 2025-02-11

SOLD BY

Sen. Lois KolkhorstRSenate 18

+ 1 coauthor

ITEM

relating to the placement of a cultivated oyster in a natural oyster bed, a private oyster bed, or coastal waters.

WHAT IT DOES

With written approval from Parks and Wildlife.

The bill lets a person put farm-raised (cultivated) oysters into natural oyster beds, private oyster beds, or coastal waters if the Parks and Wildlife Department approves it in writing. It touches oyster farmers and anyone working on reef restoration, and it tells the department to write best management practices for these approvals. On the ground, the current flat ban on placing cultivated oysters in those spots becomes a permit-based system, and the ban now also expressly covers coastal waters, starting September 1, 2025.

CHARGES

[ ] NONE FOUND

TOTAL

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

LBB estimate · fiscal note version I · source

Sources

Fiscal note · version I · March 12, 2025

No first-year general revenue figure available here.

LBB published estimates · flow over the stated periods.

Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

HISTORY

Feb 11, 2025Received by the Secretary of the Senate
Feb 11, 2025Filed
Feb 13, 2025Co-author authorized
Feb 28, 2025Read first time
Feb 28, 2025Referred to Water, Agriculture, & Rural Affairs
Mar 17, 2025Scheduled for public hearing on . . .
Mar 17, 2025Considered in public hearing
Mar 17, 2025Testimony taken in committee
Mar 17, 2025Vote taken in committee
Mar 17, 2025Reported favorably w/o amendments
Mar 17, 2025Recommended for local & uncontested calendar
Mar 17, 2025Committee report printed and distributed
Apr 10, 2025Placed on local & uncontested calendar
Apr 10, 2025Laid before the Senate
Apr 10, 2025Read 2nd time & passed to engrossment
Apr 10, 2025Vote recorded in Journal
Apr 10, 2025Three day rule suspended
Apr 10, 2025Record vote
Apr 10, 2025Read 3rd time
Apr 10, 2025Passed
Apr 10, 2025Record vote
Apr 10, 2025Reported engrossed
Apr 14, 2025Received from the Senate
Apr 17, 2025Read first time
Apr 17, 2025Referred to Culture, Recreation & Tourism
Apr 24, 2025Considered in formal meeting
Apr 24, 2025Reported favorably w/o amendment(s)
Apr 25, 2025Comte report filed with Committee Coordinator
Apr 25, 2025Committee report distributed
Apr 28, 2025Committee report sent to Calendars
Apr 29, 2025Laid out in lieu of companion HB 3724
Apr 29, 2025Read 2nd time
Apr 29, 2025Passed to 3rd reading
Apr 29, 2025Record vote RV#911
Apr 30, 2025Read 3rd time
Apr 30, 2025Passed
Apr 30, 2025Record vote RV#953
Apr 30, 2025House passage reported
Apr 30, 2025Reported enrolled
May 5, 2025Signed in the Senate
May 5, 2025Signed in the House
May 6, 2025Sent to the Governor
May 15, 2025Signed by the Governor
May 15, 2025Effective on 9/1/25

FILED UNDER

No verified beat found.

SIGNED FOR BY

House · 142 yea · 0 nay

Senate · 30 yea · 0 nay

Sources

House: Final passage · Apr 30, 2025. Journal. Published stock for this vote. Snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

Senate: Final passage · Apr 10, 2025. Journal. Published stock for this vote. Snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

All floor motions and other positions below.

No flags

THANK YOU FOR CHECKING THE RECEIPT

CAMPAIGN PAID FOR BY

Lois Kolkhorst

Donors

Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC$60K Border Health PAC$35K SRR Ranches, LLC$30K

Not tied to this bill.

Sources

The author's campaign account only. Own money and internal transfers are separate on the member page.

Derived itemized flow · Jul 11, 2024 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.

Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC$60,000.00

Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC

$60,000.00

Cash: $60,000.00
Paid by others: $0.00
Total: $60,000.00

Also funds 124 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Jul 10, 2024 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

TEC account match.

Team

Sources

Derived itemized flow · Nov 19, 2024 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.

Report IDs: 101007416, 101012417, 101070754.

Border Health PAC$35,000.00

Border Health PAC

$35,000.00

Cash: $35,000.00
Paid by others: $0.00
Total: $35,000.00

Also funds 17 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Oct 28, 2024 to Aug 26, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

TEC account match.

Team

Sources

Derived itemized flow · on Dec 6, 2024. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.

Report IDs: 101012417.

SRR Ranches, LLC$30,000.00

SRR Ranches, LLC

$30,000.00

Cash: $30,000.00
Paid by others: $0.00
Total: $30,000.00

Also funds 3 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Oct 23, 2024 to Oct 8, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Name match, not a verified identity: normalized filed name and state.

Sources

Derived itemized flow · Oct 23, 2024 to Oct 1, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.

Report IDs: 101012417, 101070754.

Money

Missing data does not establish zero giving. Display amounts are rounded.

×

Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC

$60,000.00

Cash: $60,000.00
Paid by others: $0.00
Total: $60,000.00

Also funds 124 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Jul 10, 2024 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

TEC account match.

Team

Sources

Derived itemized flow · Nov 19, 2024 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.

Report IDs: 101007416, 101012417, 101070754.

×

Border Health PAC

$35,000.00

Cash: $35,000.00
Paid by others: $0.00
Total: $35,000.00

Also funds 17 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Oct 28, 2024 to Aug 26, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

TEC account match.

Team

Sources

Derived itemized flow · on Dec 6, 2024. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.

Report IDs: 101012417.

×

SRR Ranches, LLC

$30,000.00

Cash: $30,000.00
Paid by others: $0.00
Total: $30,000.00

Also funds 3 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Oct 23, 2024 to Oct 8, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Name match, not a verified identity: normalized filed name and state.

Sources

Derived itemized flow · Oct 23, 2024 to Oct 1, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.

Report IDs: 101012417, 101070754.

Votes5

House Apr 30, 2025

Yea: 142
Nay: 0
Present, not voting: 2
Absent: 1
Excused: 5

Names

Named positions matched to lawmakers. See the journal for unmatched names.

House journal

Sources

Record 953

SB 1215 was passed by (Record 953): 142 Yeas, 0 Nays, 2 Present, not voting.

Published stock of positions for this vote, except where marked derived.

Yea: 142 (published)
Nay: 0 (published)
Present, not voting: 2 (published)
Absent: 1 (derived from named list)
Excused: 5 (derived from named list)

House journal. Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

House Apr 29, 2025

Yea: 130
Nay: 14
Present, not voting: 2
Absent: 4
Excused: 0

Names

Named positions matched to lawmakers. See the journal for unmatched names.

House journal

Sources

Record 911

SB 1215 was passed to third reading by (Record 911): 130 Yeas, 14 Nays, 2 Present, not voting.

Published stock of positions for this vote, except where marked derived.

Yea: 130 (published)
Nay: 14 (published)
Present, not voting: 2 (published)
Absent: 4 (derived from named list)
Excused: 0 (derived from named list)

House journal. Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

Senate Apr 10, 2025

Final passage

Yea: 30
Nay: 0
Present, not voting: Not printed
Absent: Not printed
Excused: Not printed

Names

Senate journal

Names were not printed. No individual positions are inferred.

The journal row lists three votes in order: passage to engrossment, suspension of the three-day rule, and final passage. This entry records final passage. Repeated tallies belong to separate votes.

Sources

SB 1215 (Kolkhorst) Relating to the placement of a cultivated oyster in a natural oyster bed, a private oyster bed, or coastal waters. (viva voce vote) (30-0) (30-0)

Published stock of positions for this vote, except where marked derived.

Yea: 30 (published)
Nay: 0 (published)
Present, not voting: Not printed
Absent: Not printed
Excused: Not printed

Senate journal. Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

Senate Apr 10, 2025

Suspension of the three-day rule

Yea: 30
Nay: 0
Present, not voting: Not printed
Absent: Not printed
Excused: Not printed

Names

Senate journal

Names were not printed. No individual positions are inferred.

The journal row lists three votes in order: passage to engrossment, suspension of the three-day rule, and final passage. This entry records suspension of the three-day rule. Repeated tallies belong to separate votes.

Sources

SB 1215 (Kolkhorst) Relating to the placement of a cultivated oyster in a natural oyster bed, a private oyster bed, or coastal waters. (viva voce vote) (30-0) (30-0)

Published stock of positions for this vote, except where marked derived.

Yea: 30 (published)
Nay: 0 (published)
Present, not voting: Not printed
Absent: Not printed
Excused: Not printed

Senate journal. Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

Senate Apr 10, 2025

Passage to engrossment

Yea: Not printed
Nay: Not printed
Present, not voting: Not printed
Absent: Not printed
Excused: Not printed

Names

Senate journal

Names were not printed. No individual positions are inferred.

The journal row lists three votes in order: passage to engrossment, suspension of the three-day rule, and final passage. This entry records passage to engrossment. Repeated tallies belong to separate votes.

Voice vote. No numeric tally or individual yeas are inferred.

Sources

SB 1215 (Kolkhorst) Relating to the placement of a cultivated oyster in a natural oyster bed, a private oyster bed, or coastal waters. (viva voce vote) (30-0) (30-0)

Published stock of positions for this vote, except where marked derived.

Yea: Not printed
Nay: Not printed
Present, not voting: Not printed
Absent: Not printed
Excused: Not printed

Senate journal. Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

Witnesses11

For: 9
Against: 0
On: 2

Names

For

Coastal Conservation Association1 registration
Lone Star Chapter Sierra Club1 registration
National Wildlife Federation1 registration
Nueces County1 registration
Self; Copano Oyster Company1 registration
Self; Texas Chapter of The Wildlife Society1 registration
Self; Texas Foundation for Conservation1 registration
Texas Oyster Mariculture Association1 registration
The Nature Conservancy1 registration

On

Texas Parks & Wildlife1 registration
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department1 registration

Sources

11 parsed registrations across the loaded witness lists.

Derived stock of witness registrations. Repeated appearances count separately. Organizations and self-representation appear as printed.

Senate witness list. Source snapshot 2026-10-20, Central time.

Fiscal

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

LBB estimate · fiscal note version I · source

Sources

Fiscal note · version I · March 12, 2025

No first-year general revenue figure available here.

LBB published estimates · flow over the stated periods.

Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

How this was graded

Analysis of text version I by claude-opus-5-5, Oct 20, 2026, against the published rubric.

Sources

Texas Senate · Filed Feb 11, 2025

05/15/2025 E Effective on 9/1/25

Texas Legislature Online · Introduced · Senate Committee Report · Engrossed · House Committee Report · Enrolled

Data snapshot Oct 26, 2026 at 4:20 AM CDT. Grades, charges, quotes and corrections follow the published record.

Coauthors

Pete FloresRSenate 24

Companion

HB 3724 by Villalobos (identical)

Subjects

Coastal Affairs & Beaches

Parks & Wildlife--General

Parks & Wildlife--Hunting & Fishing

OYSTERS

PARKS & WILDLIFE DEPARTMENT

Text

The text as introduced · 176 words

89R8022 BEE-D

By: Kolkhorst
S.B. No. 1215

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the placement of a cultivated oyster in a natural oyster

bed, a private oyster bed, or coastal waters.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Chapter 75, Parks and Wildlife Code, is amended

by adding Section 75.01045 to read as follows:

Sec. 75.01045. PLACEMENT OF CULTIVATED OYSTERS IN CERTAIN

LOCATIONS WITH DEPARTMENT APPROVAL. (a) A person may place a

cultivated oyster in a natural oyster bed, a private oyster bed, or

coastal waters if the department authorizes the placement in

writing.

(b) The department shall adopt best management practices

for authorizing the placement of cultivated oysters under this

section.

SECTION 2. Section 75.0106(b), Parks and Wildlife Code, is

amended to read as follows:

(b) No person may place a cultivated oyster in a natural

oyster bed , a [ or ] private oyster bed , or coastal waters, except as

authorized by Section 75.01045 .

SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.

Verdict: No flags

The receipt

SOLD BY

ITEM

WHAT IT DOES

CHARGES

TOTAL

HISTORY

SIGNED FOR BY

Donors

Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC

Border Health PAC

SRR Ranches, LLC

Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC

Border Health PAC

SRR Ranches, LLC

House Apr 30, 2025

House Apr 29, 2025

Senate Apr 10, 2025

Senate Apr 10, 2025

Senate Apr 10, 2025

For

On

Companion