Monitoring the Session

SB 1247

nonresident hunting licenses fold into one

Became law, effective Sep 1, 2025

Verdict: No flags

No flagsInitial review
Sen. Charles PerryRSenate 28

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 consolidating certain nonresident hunting licenses.

Caption from analyzed text · version I.

Summary

The special license becomes a five-day license. Alligator needs the general one.

The bill folds several nonresident hunting licenses, including the nonresident special and spring turkey licenses, into one nonresident general hunting license and renames the special license a five-day license. It touches out-of-state hunters who buy Texas licenses, and it adds alligator to the list of game that requires the general license and that the five-day license does not cover. Out-of-state hunters will choose between a general license and a five-day license that they can buy more than once a year, starting September 1, 2025.

Receipt

The receipt

89R-SB1247 · 2025-02-12

SOLD BY

ITEM

relating to consolidating certain nonresident hunting licenses.

WHAT IT DOES

The special license becomes a five-day license. Alligator needs the general one.

The bill folds several nonresident hunting licenses, including the nonresident special and spring turkey licenses, into one nonresident general hunting license and renames the special license a five-day license. It touches out-of-state hunters who buy Texas licenses, and it adds alligator to the list of game that requires the general license and that the five-day license does not cover. Out-of-state hunters will choose between a general license and a five-day license that they can buy more than once a year, starting September 1, 2025.

CHARGES

[ ] NONE FOUND

TOTAL

Net to General Revenue · FY 2026$0

LBB estimate, flow · fiscal note version S · ( ) = negative · source

Sources

Fiscal note · version S · March 31, 2025

Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for SB1247, Committee Report 1st House, Substituted: an impact of $0 through the biennium ending August 31, 2027. The bill would make no appropriation but could provide the legal basis for an appropriation of funds to implement the provisions of the bill.

First year · FY 2026 · $0

Probable Net Positive/(Negative) Impact to General Revenue Related Funds

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. Vote taken in committee
  8. Reported favorably as substituted
  9. Recommended for local & uncontested calendar
  10. Committee report printed and distributed
  11. Placed on local & uncontested calendar
  12. Laid before the Senate
  13. Read 2nd time & passed to engrossment
  14. Vote recorded in Journal
  15. Three day rule suspended
  16. Record vote
  17. Read 3rd time
  18. Passed
  19. Record vote
  20. Reported engrossed
  21. Received from the Senate
  22. Read first time
  23. Referred to Culture, Recreation & Tourism
  24. Scheduled for public hearing on . . .
  25. Considered in public hearing
  26. Testimony taken/registration(s) recorded in committee
  27. Left pending in committee
  28. Considered in formal meeting
  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. Considered in Calendars
  34. Placed on General State Calendar
  35. Read 2nd time
  36. Passed to 3rd reading
  37. Record vote RV#2952
  38. Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal
  39. Read 3rd time
  40. Passed
  41. Record vote RV#3022
  42. House passage reported
  43. Reported enrolled
  44. Signed in the Senate
  45. Signed in the House
  46. Sent to the Governor
  47. Signed by the Governor
  48. Effective on 9/1/25
FILED UNDER

No verified beat found.

SIGNED FOR BY

House · 145 yea · 0 nay

Senate · 31 yea · 0 nay

Sources

House: Final passage · May 20, 2025. Journal. Published stock for this vote. Snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

Senate: Final passage · Apr 16, 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

Donors

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 1, 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 13, 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: 100983698, 101007598, 101030579, 101072377.

Ryan Texas PAC$35,000.00

Ryan Texas PAC

$35,000.00

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

Also funds 25 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Sep 23, 2024 to Oct 22, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

TEC account match.

Team
Sources

Derived itemized flow · Dec 13, 2024 to Mar 12, 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: 100983698, 101057700.

Fort Stockton Holdings LP$25,000.00

Fort Stockton Holdings LP

$25,000.00

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

Also funds 0 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · on Nov 23, 2024. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

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

Sources

Derived itemized flow · on Nov 23, 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: 100983698.

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 13, 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: 100983698, 101007598, 101030579, 101072377.

×

Ryan Texas PAC

$35,000.00

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

Also funds 25 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Sep 23, 2024 to Oct 22, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

TEC account match.

Team
Sources

Derived itemized flow · Dec 13, 2024 to Mar 12, 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: 100983698, 101057700.

×

Fort Stockton Holdings LP

$25,000.00

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

Also funds 0 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · on Nov 23, 2024. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

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

Sources

Derived itemized flow · on Nov 23, 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: 100983698.

Votes5

House May 20, 2025

Yea
145
Nay
0
Present, not voting
3
Absent
1
Excused
1
Names

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

House journal

Sources

Record 3022

SB 1247 was passed by (Record 3022): 145 Yeas, 0 Nays, 3 Present, not voting.

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

  • Yea: 145 (published)
  • Nay: 0 (published)
  • Present, not voting: 3 (published)
  • Absent: 1 (derived from named list)
  • Excused: 1 (derived from named list)

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

House May 19, 2025

Yea
144
Nay
0
Present, not voting
2
Absent
0
Excused
4
Names

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

House journal

Sources

Record 2952

SB 1247 was passed to third reading by (Record 2952): 144 Yeas, 0 Nays, 2 Present, not voting.

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

  • Yea: 144 (published)
  • Nay: 0 (published)
  • Present, not voting: 2 (published)
  • Absent: 0 (derived from named list)
  • Excused: 4 (derived from named list)

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

Senate Apr 16, 2025

Final passage

Yea
31
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 1247 (Perry) Relating to consolidating certain nonresident hunting licenses. (viva voce vote) (31-0) (31-0)

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

  • Yea: 31 (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 16, 2025

Suspension of the three-day rule

Yea
31
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 1247 (Perry) Relating to consolidating certain nonresident hunting licenses. (viva voce vote) (31-0) (31-0)

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

  • Yea: 31 (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 16, 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 1247 (Perry) Relating to consolidating certain nonresident hunting licenses. (viva voce vote) (31-0) (31-0)

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.

Witnesses10
For
6
Against
0
On
4
Names

For

  • Self; Game Warden Peace Officers Association1 registration
  • Self; Texas Chapter of The Wildlife Society1 registration
  • Self; Texas Foundation for Conservation2 registrations
  • Texas Wildlife Association2 registrations

On

  • Self1 registration
  • Texas parks and wildfife1 registration
  • Texas Parks and Wildlife1 registration
  • Texas Parks and Wildlife Dept1 registration
Sources

10 parsed registrations across the loaded witness lists.

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

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

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

Fiscal
Net to General Revenue · FY 2026$0

LBB estimate, flow · fiscal note version S · ( ) = negative · source

Sources

Fiscal note · version S · March 31, 2025

Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for SB1247, Committee Report 1st House, Substituted: an impact of $0 through the biennium ending August 31, 2027. The bill would make no appropriation but could provide the legal basis for an appropriation of funds to implement the provisions of the bill.

First year · FY 2026 · $0

Probable Net Positive/(Negative) Impact to General Revenue Related Funds

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

05/30/2025 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.

Sponsors

House committee · Culture, Recreation & Tourism · Committee vote 9 aye, 0 nay · Out of committee

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

Subjects

Animals

Parks & Wildlife--Hunting & Fishing

Parks & Wildlife--Licenses

Text

The text as introduced · 837 words

89R4721 MP-F

By: Perry
S.B. No. 1247

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to consolidating certain nonresident hunting licenses.

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

SECTION 1. Section 41.003(b), Parks and Wildlife Code, is

amended to read as follows:

(b) An agreement must provide that a resident of the border

state who has a sport fishing license or a hunting license issued by

the border state may fish or hunt migratory waterfowl on rivers and

lakes of the common border, and a Texas resident holding a Texas

license is extended equal privileges. A person who holds a

nonresident sport fishing license or a nonresident general hunting

license issued by this state or a border state may be extended the

same privileges as those extended a resident license holder under

this subsection.

SECTION 2. Sections 42.005(a), (b), and (e), Parks and

Wildlife Code, are amended to read as follows:

(a) No nonresident in this state may hunt a mule deer,

white-tailed deer, turkey, pronghorn antelope, [ or ] desert bighorn

sheep , or alligator in this state without first having acquired a

nonresident general [ nonresident ] hunting license.

(b) Except as provided by Subsection (f), no nonresident may

hunt any bird or animal in this state without first having acquired

a nonresident general [ nonresident ] hunting license[ , a

nonresident special hunting license, ] or a nonresident five-day

[ special ] hunting license.

(e) A nonresident may not acquire or possess during a

license year[ :

[ (1) ] more than one nonresident general [ spring

turkey ] hunting license[ ; or

[ (2) a general nonresident hunting license and a

nonresident spring turkey hunting license ].

SECTION 3. Section 42.0141, Parks and Wildlife Code, is

amended to read as follows:

Sec. 42.0141. NONRESIDENT GENERAL [ NONRESIDENT ] HUNTING

LICENSE FEE. The fee for a nonresident general [ nonresident ]

hunting license is $100.75 or an amount set by the commission,

whichever amount is more.

SECTION 4. Section 42.0143, Parks and Wildlife Code, is

amended to read as follows:

Sec. 42.0143. NONRESIDENT FIVE-DAY [ SPECIAL ] HUNTING

LICENSE. (a) A nonresident five-day hunting license is not valid

for a mule deer, white-tailed deer, turkey, pronghorn antelope,

desert bighorn sheep, or alligator.

(b) A nonresident five-day [ special ] hunting license is

valid for five consecutive days.

(c) A nonresident may acquire multiple nonresident five-day

hunting licenses during a license year.

(d) The fee for a nonresident five-day hunting [ the ] license

is set by the commission in an amount not to exceed 50 percent of the

amount of the fee set for a nonresident general [ special ] hunting

license.

SECTION 5. Section 42.0175(a), Parks and Wildlife Code, is

amended to read as follows:

(a) A license issued under this chapter, other than a

lifetime resident hunting license or a nonresident five-day

[ special ] hunting license , is valid only during the yearly period

for which the license is issued without regard to the date on which

a license is acquired. Each yearly period begins on September 1 or

on another date set by the commission and extends through August 31

of the next year or another date set by the commission. A license

issued under this chapter other than a nonresident five-day

[ special ] hunting license that is issued before September 1 or

another date set by the commission and does not expire until August

31 of the next year or another date set by the commission is valid

from the date of issuance through August 31 of the following year or

another date set by the commission. The commission by rule may set

the amount of a license fee for a license issued during a transition

period at an amount lower than prescribed in this chapter and

provide for a license term for a transition period that is shorter

or longer than a year.

SECTION 6. Section 42.022(c), Parks and Wildlife Code, is

amended to read as follows:

(c) This section does not apply to the acquisition and

possession by a nonresident of more than one nonresident hunting

license if the nonresident does not acquire or possess during a

license year[ :

[ (1) ] more than one nonresident[ :

[ (A) ] general hunting license[ ; or

[ (B) spring turkey hunting license; or

[ (2) both a nonresident general hunting license and a

nonresident spring turkey hunting license ].

SECTION 7. Section 49.010(b), Parks and Wildlife Code, is

amended to read as follows:

(b) A nonresident may hunt by means of falconry if the

nonresident possesses on the nonresident's person:

(1) a federal falconry permit;

(2) a falconry permit issued in the person's state of

residence; and

(3) a nonresident general hunting license and any

applicable stamps.

SECTION 8. The following provisions of the Parks and

Wildlife Code are repealed:

(1) Section 42.005(d);

(2) Section 42.014;

(3) Section 42.0142; and

(4) Section 42.0144.

SECTION 9. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.