H.B No. 1309

80R2369 KCR-D

By: Hilderbran H.B. No. 1309






A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the possession or transportation of certain snakes that
are not indigenous to this country; providing a penalty.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Chapter 43, Parks and Wildlife Code, is amended
by adding Subchapter V to read as follows:
SUBCHAPTER V. NONINDIGENOUS SNAKE PERMIT
Sec. 43.851. PERMIT. (a) The commission by rule shall
establish a permit that allows a permit holder to possess or
transport in this state a live venomous snake or live constrictor
that is not indigenous to this country.
(b) A permit under this subchapter is not required for:
(1) a state or county official performing an official
duty;
(2) a licensed circus, carnival, menagerie, or zoo
that possesses or transports a snake for exhibition or scientific
purposes; or
(3) a research facility licensed under the Animal
Welfare Act (7 U.S.C. Section 2131 et seq.) that possesses or
transports a snake for scientific purposes.
(c) Except as provided by Subsection (b), a person may not
possess or transport in this state a snake described by Subsection
(a) without a permit issued by the department under this
subchapter.
Sec. 43.852. FEE FOR PERMIT. The commission shall set a fee
for a permit issued under this subchapter.
Sec. 43.853. OFFENSE. A person who violates this
subchapter commits an offense that is a Class B Parks and Wildlife
Code misdemeanor.
SECTION 2. (a) The Parks and Wildlife Commission shall
adopt the rules necessary under Subchapter V, Chapter 43, Parks and
Wildlife Code, as added by this Act, not later than January 1, 2008.
(b) The Parks and Wildlife Department shall begin issuing
permits under Subchapter V, Chapter 43, Parks and Wildlife Code, as
added by this Act, not later than January 1, 2008.
SECTION 3. (a) Except as provided by Subsection (b) of this
section, this Act takes effect September 1, 2007.
(b) Sections 43.851(c) and 43.853, Parks and Wildlife Code,
as added by this Act, take effect January 1, 2008.