S.B. No. 2846 seeks to strengthen wildlife disease management in Texas by creating a new subchapter under the Parks and Wildlife Code titled "Wildlife Disease Control." The bill outlines the responsibilities of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department in managing wildlife diseases, including the authority to protect wildlife from diseases identified by the commission. It establishes criminal offenses for non-compliance with rules regarding the handling and movement of infected wildlife and grants the department the power to impose quarantines to curb disease spread. Penalties for violations can reach up to $5,000, and the bill emphasizes collaboration with other state agencies, ensuring that the Texas Animal Health Commission's authority remains intact.

Additionally, the bill introduces amendments to existing laws, requiring individuals with wildlife that die from certain diseases to dispose of carcasses according to guidelines set by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality and the Texas Animal Health Commission. It mandates a 24-hour notification for veterinarians and diagnostic labs upon diagnosing specific wildlife diseases and outlines penalties for non-compliance, including issues related to wildlife importation and access for testing. The bill also requires the Texas Animal Health Commission and the Parks and Wildlife Department to create a memorandum of understanding by November 1, 2025, to facilitate the transfer of disease control administration, with a completion deadline of September 1, 2026. Certain sections of the Agriculture Code will be repealed, and the bill is set to take effect on September 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Agriculture Code 161.041 (Agriculture Code 161)