By: Perry S.B. No. 2843     A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to a study of the effectiveness of rules and policies   implemented by the Parks and Wildlife Department to manage and   contain 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 Parks and Wildlife   Department.          SECTION 2.  STUDY RELATING TO CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE. (a)   Using existing resources, the Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research   Institute at Texas A&M University--Kingsville, the Texas A&M   College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, the Texas   Tech University School of Veterinary Medicine, and The University   of Texas Southwestern Medical Center Peter O'Donnell Jr. Brain   Institute, in conjunction with the department, shall conduct a   study assessing:                (1)  the effectiveness of rules and policies   implemented by the department to manage and contain chronic wasting   disease; and                (2)  cervid resistance to chronic wasting disease.          (b)  The study required by Subsection (a) of this section   shall, to the extent practicable, include:                (1)  a comparative analysis of the applicable rules and   policies implemented by the department and agencies of other states   responsible for managing and containing chronic wasting disease;                (2)  an assessment of the benefits and deficiencies of   the applicable rules and policies;                (3)  a comparative analysis of cervid genotypes to   determine resistance to chronic wasting disease; and                (4)  scientific and statistical data relevant to   Subdivisions (1)-(3) of this subsection.          SECTION 3.  PUBLIC INPUT REQUIRED. In conducting the study   required under Section 2(a) of this Act, the department shall:                (1)  hold a hearing in a publicly accessible location   to provide a public forum for the submission of written and oral   comments from members of the public regarding the applicable rules   and policies;                (2)  for not less than 60 days, provide an online portal   on the department's Internet website through which members of the   public may submit comments regarding the applicable rules and   policies; and                (3)  respond to each public comment submitted:                      (A)  during the hearing required by Subdivision   (1) of this section; or                      (B)  through the online portal required by   Subdivision (2) of this section.          SECTION 4.  REPORT. (a) Not later than December 1, 2026,   the Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute at Texas A&M   University--Kingsville, the Texas A&M College of Veterinary   Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, the Texas Tech University School of   Veterinary Medicine, and The University of Texas Southwestern   Medical Center Peter O'Donnell Jr. Brain Institute shall provide a   report of the study's findings to:                (1)  the department;                (2)  the governor;                (3)  the lieutenant governor;                (4)  the speaker of the house of representatives; and                (5)  each member of the standing committees of the   senate and house of representatives having primary jurisdiction   over wildlife matters.          (b)  The Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute at Texas   A&M University--Kingsville, the Texas A&M College of Veterinary   Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, the Texas Tech University School of   Veterinary Medicine, and The University of Texas Southwestern   Medical Center Peter O'Donnell Jr. Brain Institute shall make the   report required by Subsection (a) of this section available to any   member of the legislature or any member of the public on 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.