By: Metcalf H.B. No. 5458       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to a study of the effectiveness of rules implemented by the   Texas Parks and Wildlife Department governing the management of   chronic wasting disease and of cervid resistance to chronic wasting   disease.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  DEFINITIONS. In this Act:                (1)  "Chronic wasting disease" means a transmissible   spongiform encephalopathy infecting cervids.                (2)  "Department" means the Texas Parks and Wildlife   Department.          SECTION 2.  STUDY OF RULES AND POLICIES RELATING TO CHRONIC   WASTING DISEASE REQUIRED. (a) Using existing resources, the   department shall conduct a study assessing the effectiveness of all   agency rules and policies pertaining to the containment and   management of chronic wasting disease.          (b)  The study required by Subsection (a) shall, to the   extent practicable:                (1)  include a comparative analysis of the applicable   rules and policies implemented by the department and agencies of   other state governments responsible for containing and managing   chronic wasting disease;                (2)  assess the overall benefits and deficiencies of   the applicable rules and policies;                (3)  include a comparative analysis of cervid genotypes   to determine resistance to chronic wasting disease; and                (4)  incorporate scientific and statistical data.          SECTION 3.  PUBLIC INPUT REQUIRED. In conducting the study   required under Section 2(a), the department shall:                (1)  hold a hearing in a publicly accessible location   to provide a public forum for the submission of written and oral   testimony from members of the public regarding the applicable rules   and policies; and                (2)  provide an online forum on the department's   Internet website through which members of the public may submit   commentary regarding the applicable rules and policies for not less   than 60 days; and                (3)  respond to each public comment submitted during   the hearing or through the Internet portal required by Subdivisions   (1) and (2) respectively.          SECTION 4.  SUBMISSION DEADLINE. (a)  Not later than   December 1, 2026, the department shall complete the study required   by Section 2(a) and provide a report regarding the study's findings   to:                (1)  the governor;                (2)  the lieutenant governor;                (3)  the speaker of the house of representatives;                (4)  each member of the committee of the senate having   primary jurisdiction over wildlife matters; and                (5)  each member of the committee of the house of   representatives having primary jurisdiction over wildlife matters.          (b)  The department shall make the report required by   Subsection (a) available to any member of the Legislature or any   member of the public upon request and at no cost to the requestor.          SECTION 5.  EXPIRATION. This Act expires May 31, 2027.          SECTION 6.  EFFECTIVE DATE. This Act takes effect September   1, 2025.