Monitoring the Session

SB 1248

Perry Bill Seals Harvest Reports From Open Records Requests

Became law, effective Sep 1, 2025

Verdict: Smells

SmellsNeeds review
Sen. Charles PerryRSenate 28
Why it's charged
The hole

THE TEXT

…“enforcement entity, as needed to carry out a governmental purpose;”

Bill text, House committee report version (H)

Subsection (c) says law enforcement gets the data with a lawfully issued subpoena, but this clause lets the department hand the same data to any government body, law enforcement included, whenever it is needed for a governmental purpose. That softens the subpoena safeguard, though the main promise of closing off public records requests still holds.

The hole

Needs review · Nov 1, 2026 · Headline, summary and grade are analysis of the bill text, not a finding about any person · How we grade

Caption

relating to the disclosure of certain harvest report information submitted to the Parks and Wildlife Department.

Caption from analyzed text · version H.

Summary

Police need a subpoena, or just a “governmental purpose.” Any government body qualifies.

The bill makes hunting, fishing and trapping harvest reports filed with Texas Parks and Wildlife, including where the animal was taken, confidential and removes them from the Public Information Act. It touches hunters, anglers and trappers who file these reports, and anyone who would request the data. On the ground, the public can no longer get this data through open-records requests, but the department can still share it with other government bodies, police, contractors under nondisclosure agreements, and the person named in the report, and it can publish statistics that identify no one.

Receipt

The receipt

89R-SB1248 · 2025-02-12

SOLD BY

Sen. Charles PerryRSenate 28

ITEM

relating to the disclosure of certain harvest report information submitted to the Parks and Wildlife Department.

WHAT IT DOES

Police need a subpoena, or just a “governmental purpose.” Any government body qualifies.

The bill makes hunting, fishing and trapping harvest reports filed with Texas Parks and Wildlife, including where the animal was taken, confidential and removes them from the Public Information Act. It touches hunters, anglers and trappers who file these reports, and anyone who would request the data. On the ground, the public can no longer get this data through open-records requests, but the department can still share it with other government bodies, police, contractors under nondisclosure agreements, and the person named in the report, and it can publish statistics that identify no one.

CHARGES

[x] THE HOLEanalysis confidence 50%

THE TEXT

…“enforcement entity, as needed to carry out a governmental purpose;”

Bill text, House committee report version (H)

Subsection (c) says law enforcement gets the data with a lawfully issued subpoena, but this clause lets the department hand the same data to any government body, law enforcement included, whenever it is needed for a governmental purpose. That softens the subpoena safeguard, though the main promise of closing off public records requests still holds.

TOTAL

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

LBB estimate · fiscal note version I · source

Sources

Fiscal note · version I · March 7, 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 w/o amendments
  10. Recommended for local & uncontested calendar
  11. Committee report printed and distributed
  12. Placed on local & uncontested calendar
  13. Laid before the Senate
  14. Read 2nd time & passed to engrossment
  15. Vote recorded in Journal
  16. Three day rule suspended
  17. Record vote
  18. Read 3rd time
  19. Passed
  20. Record vote
  21. Reported engrossed
  22. Received from the Senate
  23. Read first time
  24. Referred to Culture, Recreation & Tourism
  25. Scheduled for public hearing on . . .
  26. Considered in public hearing
  27. Testimony taken/registration(s) recorded in committee
  28. Left pending in committee
  29. Considered in formal meeting
  30. Reported favorably w/o amendment(s)
  31. Comte report filed with Committee Coordinator
  32. Committee report distributed
  33. Committee report sent to Calendars
  34. Considered in Calendars
  35. Placed on General State Calendar
  36. Read 2nd time
  37. Passed to 3rd reading
  38. Record vote RV#2959
  39. Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal
  40. Read 3rd time
  41. Passed
  42. Record vote RV#3029
  43. House passage reported
  44. Reported enrolled
  45. Signed in the Senate
  46. Signed in the House
  47. Sent to the Governor
  48. Signed by the Governor
  49. Effective on 9/1/25
FILED UNDER

SURVEILLANCE STATE

THE TEXT

“an entity contracted with the department that has”…

Bill text, House committee report version (H)

The bill lets the department share hunters' harvest and location data with outside contractors and other government bodies for research or any activity the department deems appropriate.

SIGNED FOR BY

House · 124 yea · 22 nay

Senate · 30 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 10, 2025. Journal. Published stock for this vote. Snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

All floor motions and other positions below.

Smells

THANK YOU FOR CHECKING THE RECEIPT

CAMPAIGN PAID FOR BY

CAMPAIGN PAID FOR BY

Charles Perry

Donors

Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC$60KRyan Texas PAC$35KFort Stockton Holdings LP$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 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
124
Nay
22
Present, not voting
2
Absent
1
Excused
1
Names

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

House journal

Sources

Record 3029

SB 1248 was passed by (Record 3029): 124 Yeas, 22 Nays, 2 Present, not voting.

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

  • Yea: 124 (published)
  • Nay: 22 (published)
  • Present, not voting: 2 (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
119
Nay
22
Present, not voting
2
Absent
3
Excused
4
Names

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

House journal

Sources

Record 2959

SB 1248 was passed to third reading by (Record 2959): 119 Yeas, 22 Nays, 2 Present, not voting.

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

  • Yea: 119 (published)
  • Nay: 22 (published)
  • Present, not voting: 2 (published)
  • Absent: 3 (derived from named list)
  • Excused: 4 (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 1248 (Perry) Relating to the disclosure of certain harvest report information submitted to the Parks and Wildlife Department. (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 1248 (Perry) Relating to the disclosure of certain harvest report information submitted to the Parks and Wildlife Department. (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 1248 (Perry) Relating to the disclosure of certain harvest report information submitted to the Parks and Wildlife Department. (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.

Witnesses18
For
14
Against
1
On
3
Names

For

  • Game Warden Peace Officer Association1 registration
  • Game Warden Peace Officers Association1 registration
  • Self; Game Warden Peace Officers Association1 registration
  • Self; Houston Police Officers’ Union1 registration
  • Self; South Texans’ Property Rights Association1 registration
  • Self; Texas Chapter of The Wildlife Society2 registrations
  • Self; Texas Foundation for Conservation1 registration
  • Self; Texas Wildlife Association1 registration
  • Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association1 registration
  • Texas Farm Bureau2 registrations
  • Texas Municipal Police Association (TMPA)1 registration
  • Texas Wildlife Association1 registration

Against

  • Self1 registration

On

  • Texas parks and wildfife1 registration
  • Texas Parks and Wildlife1 registration
  • Texas Parks and Wildlife Department1 registration
Sources

18 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

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

LBB estimate · fiscal note version I · source

Sources

Fiscal note · version I · March 7, 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 H by claude-opus-5-5, Oct 22, 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 Nov 1, 2026 at 3:17 PM CST. Grades, charges, quotes and corrections follow the published record.

Sponsors
Angelia OrrRHouse 13

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

Civil Remedies & Liabilities

Law Enforcement

Open Records

Parks & Wildlife--General

Parks & Wildlife--Hunting & Fishing

PARKS & WILDLIFE COMMISSION

PARKS & WILDLIFE DEPARTMENT

Text

The text as introduced · 454 words

89R4720 BEE-F

By: Perry
S.B. No. 1248

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the disclosure of certain harvest report information

submitted to the Parks and Wildlife Department.

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

SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 11, Parks and Wildlife

Code, is amended by adding Section 11.0305 to read as follows:

Sec. 11.0305. DISCLOSURE OF HARVEST REPORT INFORMATION.

(a) Information from a report submitted to the department relating

to the recreational harvest authorized by Chapter 42, 46, 50, or 71

of game animals, game birds, fur-bearing animals, nongame animals,

alligators, or fish or other aquatic life, including the specific

location of harvested wildlife, may not be disclosed except as

authorized by this section or Section 12.014.

(b) Chapter 552, Government Code, does not apply to

information from a report described by Subsection (a).

(c) The commission or the department may disclose

information from a report described by Subsection (a) to a federal

or state law enforcement agency if the agency provides a lawfully

issued subpoena.

(d) The department may disclose statistical data and

compilations of information from a report described by Subsection

(a) in a manner that does not identify:

(1) any person who:

(A) submitted the report; or

(B) harvested wildlife as described in the

report; or

(2) any specific location information, including a

photograph, that could be used to identify the location where the

harvest of wildlife described in the report occurred.

(e) The department may disclose information from a report

described by Subsection (a) only to:

(1) an individual identified in the report or that

individual's representative;

(2) another governmental body, including a law

enforcement entity, as needed to carry out a governmental purpose;

or

(3) an entity contracted with the department that has

signed a nondisclosure agreement prohibiting the entity from

disclosing information from the report, if necessary for research,

analysis, or another activity the department determines to be

appropriate.

(f) This section does not authorize the department to

disclose information the department is prohibited from disclosing

by other law.

(g) The department and its officers and employees are immune

from civil liability for an unintentional violation of this

section.

(h) In this section, a reference to the department includes

a reference to an agent of the department.

SECTION 2. The change in law made by this Act applies to a

disclosure by the Parks and Wildlife Department of information in a

report described by Section 11.0305(a), Parks and Wildlife Code, as

added by this Act, that is made on or after the effective date of

this Act, regardless of when the report containing the information

was submitted to the department.

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