SB 2846 Texas Senate · 89th Legislature (2025)

Relating to the control of disease in wildlife; creating criminal offenses; authorizing an administrative penalty.

SB 2846 creates new rules for controlling wildlife diseases in Texas, requiring people handling wildlife to follow state agency guidelines. It makes it a crime to knowingly fail to properly handle wildlife infected with or exposed to diseases listed by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission, or to refuse identification of such wildlife. Violations are punishable as minor criminal offenses (Class C misdemeanor for first offenses, escalating to Class B for repeat violations). The law clarifies that the wildlife agency must coordinate with livestock disease authorities like the Texas Animal Health Commission but retains primary responsibility for wildlife disease control.

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Mar 2025

Committee Review

May 2025

Senate Passage

May 2025

House Passage

Governor

Introduced Mar 14, 2025 Last action May 6, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduced → Engrossed · 6 edits · May 5, 2025

MODERATE

This bill amends the Texas Parks and Wildlife Code to add a new subchapter for wildlife disease control, creating specific definitions for chronic wasting disease herds and deer breeder facilities, and establishing detailed quarantine procedures and administrative penalties. The legislation also repeals existing sections of the Agriculture Code and requires a memorandum of understanding between state agencies to transfer disease control administration responsibilities by 2026.

Scope change

The bill expands the scope of wildlife disease control by adding new specific provisions for chronic wasting disease and creating a formal transfer of authority from the Texas Animal Health Commission to the Parks and Wildlife Department.

DEFINITION

Added new definitions for 'chronic wasting disease suspect, trace, or positive herd' and 'deer breeder facility' referencing specific regulatory standards.

Removed the previous definition of 'wildlife' and replaced it with a new definition that excludes exotic livestock as defined in the Agriculture Code.

REQUIREMENT

Established new quarantine procedures specifically for chronic wasting disease cases at deer breeder facilities and registered release sites.

ENFORCEMENT

Created new administrative penalty provisions allowing fines up to $5,000 per day for violations, with detailed procedures for hearings and judicial review.

Increased misdemeanor penalties for quarantine violations from Class C to Class B for repeat offenders.

TIMELINE

Set a deadline of November 1, 2025 for agencies to enter into a memorandum of understanding and September 1, 2026 for completing the transfer of disease control administration.

Floor votes · Senate May 5, 2025

How they voted

25–5

Passed

Total votes 30

May 5, 2025

D Democratic10

10 Yea

100% Yea

R Republican20

15 Yea 5 Nay

75% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

May 6, 2025

Committee

Referred to Culture, Recreation & Tourism

lower

May 6, 2025

Introduced

Read first time

lower

May 5, 2025

Introduced

Received from the Senate

lower

May 5, 2025

Upper · Passed

Passed

upper

May 5, 2025

Upper · Passed

Passed to engrossment as amended

upper

May 5, 2025

Upper · Passed

Amended

upper

May 5, 2025

Introduced

Amendment(s) offered

upper

Apr 22, 2025

Upper · Passed

Committee report printed and distributed

upper

Apr 22, 2025

Upper · Passed

Reported favorably w/o amendments

upper

Apr 22, 2025

Upper · Passed

Vote taken in committee

upper

Apr 22, 2025

Upper · Passed

Testimony taken in committee

upper

Apr 7, 2025

Committee

Referred to Water, Agriculture, & Rural Affairs

upper

Apr 7, 2025

Introduced

Read first time

upper

1 primary · 1 co-sponsor