bill creating a $50 permit for hunting dog field trials

The text as introduced · 523 words

89R18932 MP-D

By: Hughes
S.B. No. 2801

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to a permit issued by the Parks and Wildlife Department for

certain hunting dog field trials; authorizing a fee.

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

SECTION 1. Chapter 43, Parks and Wildlife Code, is amended

by adding Subchapter J to read as follows:

SUBCHAPTER J. FIELD TRIAL PERMIT

Sec. 43.251. DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter:

(1) "Field trial" means a competitive hunting dog

event where dogs chase or pursue squirrels, fur-bearing animals, or

nongame animals under field conditions.

(2) "Field trial permit" means a permit issued under

Section 43.252.

(3) "Fur-bearing animal" has the meaning assigned by

Section 71.001.

(4) "Nongame" has the meaning assigned by Section

67.001.

(5) "Squirrel" means gray or cat squirrels, fox

squirrels, or red squirrels.

Sec. 43.252. FIELD TRIAL PERMIT. (a) A person may apply to

the department in the manner prescribed by commission rules for a

permit under this section exempting registered participants in a

field trial held by the person from the hunting license

requirements of Chapter 42 while the individuals are participating

in the field trial.

(b) The department may issue a permit under this section

only for a field trial held on privately owned land or on public

land authorized under commission rules adopted under Section

43.253(a).

(c) An application for a field trial permit must:

(1) be on a form prescribed by the department; and

(2) contain the following information:

(A) the name and address of the applicant;

(B) the address of the property on which the

field trial is to be held;

(C) the species of wildlife to be pursued in the

field trial;

(D) if applicable, the name of the hunting dog

club or organization sanctioning the field trial; and

(E) any other information required by the

department.

(d) The fee for a field trial permit is $50.

(e) A field trial permit is valid:

(1) for a period of nine consecutive days; and

(2) only on the land specified in the permit.

Sec. 43.253. COMMISSION RULES. (a) The commission shall

adopt rules specifying the public lands for which a field trial

permit may be issued.

(b) The commission may adopt rules as necessary to

administer this subchapter, including rules necessary to manage and

protect wildlife subject to a field trial permit.

Sec. 43.254. HUNTING LICENSE NOT REQUIRED DURING FIELD

TRIAL. An individual registered to participate in a field trial

held under a field trial permit is exempt from the hunting license

requirements of Chapter 42 while the individual is participating in

the field trial.

SECTION 2. As soon as practicable after the effective date

of this Act, the Parks and Wildlife Commission shall adopt rules

necessary to implement Subchapter J, Chapter 43, Parks and Wildlife

Code, as added by this Act.

SECTION 3. 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.