S.B. No. 2031 amends the Parks and Wildlife Code to establish new regulations regarding the removal of fences surrounding breeder deer release sites. The bill introduces Subsections (c) and (d) to Section 43.361, which outline the conditions under which a landowner may remove such a fence. Specifically, the landowner must wait at least five years since the last release of breeder deer, notify adjacent landowners of their intention to remove the fence, ensure that the site has minimal connection to any facility with chronic wasting disease (CWD), and obtain certification from the department that no deer from the site have been linked to positive CWD tests.

Furthermore, the bill specifies the criteria for the department's certification, requiring a confidence level of at least 95% or 99% regarding the absence of CWD, depending on the site's connection to affected facilities and compliance with regulations. The bill aims to ensure that the removal of fences is conducted safely and responsibly, minimizing the risk of disease transmission among deer populations. The act will take effect immediately upon receiving a two-thirds vote from both houses or on September 1, 2025, if such a vote is not achieved.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Parks and Wildlife Code 43.361 (Parks and Wildlife Code 43)
Senate Committee Report: Parks and Wildlife Code 43.361 (Parks and Wildlife Code 43)
Engrossed: Parks and Wildlife Code 43.361 (Parks and Wildlife Code 43)