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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the study and approval of lethal pesticides for feral |
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hog control. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter C, Chapter 76, Agriculture Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 76.048 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 76.048. FERAL HOG TOXICANTS; STUDY REQUIRED. (a) |
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Notwithstanding any other law, the department may not register or |
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otherwise approve for use in this state a lethal pesticide, |
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including warfarin, for feral hog control unless a study under |
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Subsection (b) recommends the pesticide be registered for that use. |
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(b) A state agency or institution of higher education may |
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perform a scientific study of potential feral hog control measures |
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in this state. The study must: |
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(1) include controlled field trials; |
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(2) examine the potential use of warfarin or other |
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lethal pesticides for feral hog control; |
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(3) assess the economic consequences to hunters, |
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hunting and sporting industries, agricultural interests, and |
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property owners of the control measures included in the study; and |
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(4) assess the environmental consequences of the |
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control measures included in the study. |
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(c) A state agency or institution of higher education shall |
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publish the findings, recommendations, and results of a study under |
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Subsection (b) in the Texas Register. |
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(d) A state agency or institution of higher education that |
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performs a study under Subsection (b) is subject to Chapters 551 and |
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552, Government Code, in connection with the study and any |
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meetings, hearings, or research conducted or public comments |
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received in connection with the study. |
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SECTION 2. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives |
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a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as |
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provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this |
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Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this |
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Act takes effect September 1, 2017. |