S.B. No. 1248 amends the Parks and Wildlife Code by adding Section 11.0305, which establishes new regulations regarding the disclosure of harvest report information submitted to the Parks and Wildlife Department. The bill stipulates that information related to recreational harvests of various wildlife, including specific locations of harvested animals, cannot be disclosed unless authorized by this section or Section 12.014. It clarifies that Chapter 552 of the Government Code does not apply to this information and allows for disclosure to federal or state law enforcement agencies only if they provide a lawfully issued subpoena.

Additionally, the bill permits the department to share statistical data and compilations from the reports in a manner that does not identify individuals or specific locations. Disclosure is limited to individuals identified in the report, governmental bodies for official purposes, or entities contracted with the department under a nondisclosure agreement for research or analysis. The bill also provides immunity from civil liability for unintentional violations of this section and specifies that it will take effect on September 1, 2025.

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