By: Zwiener H.B. No. 2842       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to the control by lethal means of white-tailed deer in   certain areas.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Section 43.151, Parks and Wildlife Code, is   amended to read as follows:          Sec. 43.151.  THREATS TO PUBLIC SAFETY OR DAMAGE BY   WILDLIFE; NOTICE OF WHITE-TAILED DEER POPULATION CONTROL IN CERTAIN   AREAS.  (a)  A person who has evidence clearly showing that   wildlife protected by this code is causing serious damage to   commercial agricultural, horticultural, or aquicultural interests,   or is a threat to public safety, and who desires to kill the   protected wildlife shall give written notice of the facts to the   department.          (b)  A political subdivision, a state agency, a federal   agency, an institution of higher education, or a property owners'   association as defined by Section 202.001, Property Code, that   desires to control by lethal means a white-tailed deer population   shall submit to the department written notice of evidence   demonstrating:                (1)  the use of lethal means is necessary to prevent the   deer from damaging the habitat of one or more species listed by the   United States Department of the Interior or an agency of this state   as endangered or threatened; or                (2)  the entity is experiencing an overpopulation of   deer on property the entity owns or manages and recreational   hunting is not feasible for controlling the deer population.          SECTION 2.  Section 43.1515, Parks and Wildlife Code, is   amended to read as follows:          Sec. 43.1515.  RULES. The commission may adopt rules to   implement this subchapter, including rules governing:                (1)  reports that must be submitted to the department   by a person who holds a permit issued by the department under this   subchapter;                (2)  the reinstatement of a canceled permit and a fee   for the reinstatement;                (3)  the possession of wildlife resources taken or held   under this subchapter;                (4)  the circumstances required to qualify for a   permit; [and]                (5)  the electronic issuance of permits; and                (6)  the means, methods, times, and locations of   killing protected wildlife.          SECTION 3.  Section 43.152, Parks and Wildlife Code, is   amended to read as follows:          Sec. 43.152.  DEPARTMENT INSPECTION.  (a)  On receiving   notice from a person under Section 43.151(a) [43.151], the   department may inspect the property and determine if damage or a   threat to public safety is occurring as alleged in the notice.          (b)  If the notice received by the department under Section   43.151(a) [43.151] alleges damage or a threat to public safety   caused by mule deer, pronghorn antelope, or desert bighorn sheep,   the department may not issue a permit under Section 43.154 unless   the department inspects the property and determines whether serious   damage or a threat to public safety is occurring.          (c)  On receiving notice from an entity under Section   43.151(b), the department may inspect the habitat or property   referenced in the notice to:                (1)  assess deer management plans in the habitat   relating to one or more species listed by the United States   Department of the Interior or an agency of this state as endangered   or threatened; or                (2)  determine whether the entity is experiencing an   overpopulation of white-tailed deer on the entity's property and   whether recreational hunting for controlling the deer population is   feasible.          SECTION 4.  Sections 43.153(a) and (b), Parks and Wildlife   Code, are amended to read as follows:          (a)  A person described by Section 43.151(a) or an authorized   representative of an entity described by Section 43.151(b) [who has   evidence of damage by depredation or threat to public safety] may   file with the department an application for a permit to kill the   protected wildlife.          (b)  The application must be in writing, be sworn to by the   applicant, and contain:                (1)  a statement of facts relating to, as applicable:                      (A)  the damage or threat;                      (B)  the feasibility of recreational hunting; or                      (C)  the need to control overpopulation to prevent   damage to the habitat of one or more species listed by the United   States Department of the Interior or an agency of this state as   endangered or threatened; and                (2)  an agreement by the applicant to comply with the   provisions of this subchapter and any rules adopted by the   commission under this subchapter.          SECTION 5.  Section 62.006, Parks and Wildlife Code, is   amended by adding Subsection (c) to read as follows:          (c)  This section does not apply to:                (1)  an entity described by Section 43.151(b) that   employs a person for compensation or promise of compensation to   control by lethal means white-tailed deer as authorized under a   permit issued under Subchapter H, Chapter 43; or                (2)  a person employed as described by Subdivision (1).          SECTION 6.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.