Relating to the placement of a cultivated oyster in a natural oyster bed, a private oyster bed, or coastal waters.

SB 1215 creates a permitting system for placing cultivated (farmed) oysters in natural oyster beds, private oyster beds, or coastal waters in Texas. It requires written approval from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department for such placements, replacing a previous blanket prohibition. The bill mandates the department to develop best management practices for reviewing these requests. This directly affects oyster farmers, shellfish businesses, and coastal resource managers who must now seek authorization before placing farmed oysters in designated waters. The law takes effect September 1, 2025.