89R9357 MP-F     By: Eckhardt S.B. No. 1285       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to the protection of bats.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Section 63.101, Parks and Wildlife Code, is   amended to read as follows:          Sec. 63.101.  PROTECTION OF BATS.  (a)  Except as provided by   Subsections (b), (b-1), and (c), a [no] person may not:                (1)  confine or hunt a bat; or                (2)  sell, offer for sale, purchase, offer to purchase,   or possess after purchase a bat or any part of a bat, dead or alive.          (b)  Subject to Subsection (b-1), a [A] bat may be removed or   hunted if the bat is inside or on a building occupied by people.          (b-1)  A bat or bat colony using a building or structure as a   roost site may be controlled only by a nonlethal exclusion method   that allows bats to leave but not reenter the building or structure.     The exclusion method described by this subsection may not be   implemented during the period each year beginning May 1 and ending   August 31.          (c)  This section does not apply to:                (1)  an animal control officer, a peace officer, a   licensed pest control professional, or a health official who   captures a bat that the officer, professional, or official   considers injured or diseased; or                (2)  a person who transports a bat for the purpose of:                      (A)  laboratory testing if the bat has exposed or   potentially exposed humans or domestic animals to rabies; or                      (B)  rehabilitation at a registered   rehabilitation facility if the bat has had no known prior exposure   with humans                [(3)  a person who is licensed to provide pest control   services].          SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.