Monitoring the Session

SB 1245

aoudad sheep join the helicopter hunting list

Became law, effective Sep 1, 2025

Verdict: No flags

No flagsInitial review
Sen. César BlancoDSenate 29

Initial review · graded Oct 20, 2026 · Headline, summary and grade are analysis of the bill text, not a finding about any person · How we grade

Caption

relating to the taking of certain aoudad sheep by using a helicopter.

Caption from analyzed text · version I.

Summary

Alongside feral hogs and coyotes.

The bill adds aoudad sheep to the short list of animals that a qualified landowner or their agent can pay to hunt or observe from a helicopter under a state permit, alongside feral hogs and coyotes. It touches landowners, hunters who buy helicopter hunting seats, and helicopter hunting operators working under Parks and Wildlife permits. Starting September 1, 2025, the Parks and Wildlife Commission must update its rules so aoudad sheep can be taken from helicopters the same way hogs and coyotes already are.

Receipt

The receipt

89R-SB1245 · 2025-02-12

SOLD BY

Sen. César BlancoDSenate 29

+ 1 coauthor

ITEM

relating to the taking of certain aoudad sheep by using a helicopter.

WHAT IT DOES

Alongside feral hogs and coyotes.

The bill adds aoudad sheep to the short list of animals that a qualified landowner or their agent can pay to hunt or observe from a helicopter under a state permit, alongside feral hogs and coyotes. It touches landowners, hunters who buy helicopter hunting seats, and helicopter hunting operators working under Parks and Wildlife permits. Starting September 1, 2025, the Parks and Wildlife Commission must update its rules so aoudad sheep can be taken from helicopters the same way hogs and coyotes already are.

CHARGES

[ ] NONE FOUND

TOTAL

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

LBB estimate · fiscal note version F · source

Sources

Fiscal note · version F · May 8, 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

  1. Received by the Secretary of the Senate
  2. Filed
  3. Read first time
  4. Referred to Water, Agriculture, & Rural Affairs
  5. Scheduled for public hearing on . . .
  6. Considered in public hearing
  7. Testimony taken in committee
  8. Vote taken in committee
  9. Reported favorably as substituted
  10. Recommended for local & uncontested calendar
  11. Committee report printed and distributed
  12. Placed on intent calendar
  13. Not again placed on intent calendar
  14. Co-author authorized
  15. Placed on local & uncontested calendar
  16. Laid before the Senate
  17. Read 2nd time & passed to engrossment
  18. Vote recorded in Journal
  19. Three day rule suspended
  20. Record vote
  21. Read 3rd time
  22. Passed
  23. Record vote
  24. Reported engrossed
  25. Received from the Senate
  26. Read first time
  27. Referred to Culture, Recreation & Tourism
  28. Considered in public hearing
  29. Reported favorably w/o amendment(s)
  30. Comte report filed with Committee Coordinator
  31. Committee report distributed
  32. Committee report sent to Calendars
  33. Laid out in lieu of companion HB 5398
  34. Read 2nd time
  35. Amended 1-E. Morales
  36. Passed to 3rd reading as amended
  37. Record vote RV#1501
  38. Read 3rd time
  39. Postponed
  40. Laid out as postponed business
  41. Passed
  42. Record vote RV#1640
  43. Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal
  44. House passage as amended reported
  45. House amendment(s) laid before the Senate
  46. Read
  47. Senate concurs in House amendment(s)
  48. Record vote
  49. Senate concurs in House amendment(s)-reported
  50. Reported enrolled
  51. Signed in the Senate
  52. Signed in the House
  53. Sent to the Governor
  54. Signed by the Governor
  55. Effective on 9/1/25
FILED UNDER

No verified beat found.

SIGNED FOR BY

House · 140 yea · 1 nay

Senate · 30 yea · 0 nay

Sources

House: Final passage · May 7, 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

CAMPAIGN PAID FOR BY

César Blanco

Donors

Agave Democratic Infrastructure Fund$26KTexas Trial Lawyers Association PAC$25KBorder Health PAC$25K

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 10, 2024 to Jun 24, 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.

Agave Democratic Infrastructure Fund$25,750.00

Agave Democratic Infrastructure Fund

$25,750.00

Cash
$25,000.00
Paid by others
$750.00
Total
$25,750.00
consulting $750.00

Also funds 5 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Nov 22, 2024 to Oct 12, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

TEC account match.

Sources

Derived itemized flow · Nov 25, 2024 to Dec 13, 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: 100989095.

Texas Trial Lawyers Association PAC$25,000.00

Texas Trial Lawyers Association PAC

$25,000.00

Cash
$25,000.00
Paid by others
$0.00
Total
$25,000.00

Also funds 137 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Jul 24, 2024 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

TEC account match.

Team
Sources

Derived itemized flow · Oct 3, 2024 to Jan 26, 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: 100989095, 101009709, 101033590, 101060872.

Border Health PAC$25,000.00

Border Health PAC

$25,000.00

Cash
$25,000.00
Paid by others
$0.00
Total
$25,000.00

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 14, 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: 100989095.

Money

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

×

Agave Democratic Infrastructure Fund

$25,750.00

Cash
$25,000.00
Paid by others
$750.00
Total
$25,750.00
consulting $750.00

Also funds 5 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Nov 22, 2024 to Oct 12, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

TEC account match.

Sources

Derived itemized flow · Nov 25, 2024 to Dec 13, 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: 100989095.

×

Texas Trial Lawyers Association PAC

$25,000.00

Cash
$25,000.00
Paid by others
$0.00
Total
$25,000.00

Also funds 137 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Jul 24, 2024 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

TEC account match.

Team
Sources

Derived itemized flow · Oct 3, 2024 to Jan 26, 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: 100989095, 101009709, 101033590, 101060872.

×

Border Health PAC

$25,000.00

Cash
$25,000.00
Paid by others
$0.00
Total
$25,000.00

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 14, 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: 100989095.

Votes6

Senate May 12, 2025

Yea
30
Nay
0
Present, not voting
Not printed
Absent
Not printed
Excused
1
Names

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

Senate journal

Names were not printed for yea. Only the named positions are included in member records.

Sources

Senator Blanco moved to concur in the House amendment to SB 1245. The motion prevailed by the following vote: Yeas 30, Nays 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: 1 (derived from named list)

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

House May 7, 2025

Yea
140
Nay
1
Present, not voting
4
Absent
3
Excused
2
Names

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

House journal

Sources

Record 1640

SB 1245 was passed by (Record 1640): 140 Yeas, 1 Nays, 4 Present, not voting.

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

  • Yea: 140 (published)
  • Nay: 1 (published)
  • Present, not voting: 4 (published)
  • Absent: 3 (derived from named list)
  • Excused: 2 (derived from named list)

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

House May 6, 2025

Yea
143
Nay
1
Present, not voting
3
Absent
2
Excused
1
Names

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

House journal

Sources

Record 1501

SB 1245, as amended, was passed to third reading by (Record 1501): 143 Yeas, 1 Nays, 3 Present, not voting.

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

  • Yea: 143 (published)
  • Nay: 1 (published)
  • Present, not voting: 3 (published)
  • Absent: 2 (derived from named list)
  • Excused: 1 (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

CSSB 1245 (Blanco) Relating to the taking of certain aoudad sheep by using a helicopter. (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

CSSB 1245 (Blanco) Relating to the taking of certain aoudad sheep by using a helicopter. (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

CSSB 1245 (Blanco) Relating to the taking of certain aoudad sheep by using a helicopter. (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.

Witnesses7
For
5
Against
0
On
2
Names

For

  • Self1 registration
  • Self; South Texans’ Property Rights Association1 registration
  • Self; Texas Foundation for Conservation1 registration
  • Texas Farm Bureau1 registration
  • Texas Wildlife Association1 registration

On

  • Sul Ross State University1 registration
  • TPWD1 registration
Sources

7 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 F · source

Sources

Fiscal note · version F · May 8, 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 12, 2025

05/27/2025 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
Sponsors
Eddie MoralesDHouse 74 Will MetcalfRHouse 16 Cody VasutRHouse 25 Helen KerwinRHouse 58

House committee · Culture, Recreation & Tourism · Committee vote 8 aye, 0 nay, 1 absent · Out of committee

Senate committee · Water, Agriculture and Rural Affairs · Committee vote 9 aye, 0 nay · Out of committee

Companion

HB 5398 by Morales, Eddie (identical)

Subjects

PECOS RIVER

Animals

Parks & Wildlife--Hunting & Fishing

PERMITS

PARKS & WILDLIFE COMMISSION

Text

The text as introduced · 151 words

89R5765 BEE-F

By: Blanco
S.B. No. 1245

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the taking of certain aoudad sheep by using a

helicopter.

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

SECTION 1. Section 43.1075, Parks and Wildlife Code, is

amended to read as follows:

Sec. 43.1075. USING HELICOPTERS TO TAKE CERTAIN ANIMALS. A

qualified landowner or landowner's agent, as determined by

commission rule, may contract to participate as a hunter or

observer in using a helicopter to take depredating feral hogs , [ or ]

coyotes , or aoudad sheep under the authority of a permit issued

under this subchapter.

SECTION 2. As soon as practicable after the effective date

of this Act, the Parks and Wildlife Commission shall adopt or amend

rules as necessary to implement the change in law made by this Act.

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