The bill, H.B. No. 5042, aims to establish state preemption over certain municipal and county regulations related to health and safety laws, specifically including the classification of elephants as dangerous wild animals. It amends Section 102A.002 of the Civil Practice and Remedies Code to allow individuals who suffer injuries from municipal or county ordinances that violate specified provisions to bring legal action against those municipalities or counties. Notably, the bill adds new sections to the Health and Safety Code, including Section 1.006, which prohibits municipalities or counties from adopting regulations in areas already covered by state law unless explicitly authorized by another statute.

Additionally, the bill expands the definition of "dangerous wild animal" in Section 822.101 of the Health and Safety Code to include elephants, thereby formalizing their status under state law. The amendments also involve the removal of certain sections from the existing code, streamlining the legal framework regarding municipal regulations and state authority. The provisions of this bill will take effect on September 1, 2025, and will only apply to causes of action that arise after this date.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Chapter , Health and Safety Code 1.004, Health and Safety Code 822.101 (Health and Safety Code 822, Chapter , Health and Safety Code 1)