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.