Texas · statute · Tex. Parks and Wildlife Code · 1,496 active provisions
(a) This code is enacted as a part of the state's continuing statutory revision program, begun by the Texas Legislative Council in 1963 as directed by the legislature in Chapter 488, Acts of the 58th Legislature, 1963 (Article 5429b-1, Vernon's Texas Civil Statutes). The program contemplates a topic-by-topic revision o…
The Code Construction Act (Chapter 311, Government Code) applies to the construction of each provision in this code, except as otherwise expressly provided by this code.
(a) All wild animals, fur-bearing animals, wild birds, and wild fowl inside the borders of this state are the property of the people of this state. (b) All fish and other aquatic animal life contained in the freshwater rivers, creeks, and streams and in lakes or sloughs subject to overflow from rivers or other streams…
Any public freshwater lake, river, creek, or bayou in this state contained in any survey of private land may not be sold but shall remain open to the public. The Parks and Wildlife Department is authorized to protect the fish in public waters under rules as it may prescribe.
This code does not prohibit or restrict the owner or occupant of land from constructing or maintaining a fence of any height on the land owned or occupied, and an owner or occupant who constructs such a fence is not liable for the restriction of the movement of wild animals by the fence. The existence of a fence does n…
(a) In this section: (1) "Archery equipment" means a longbow, recurved bow, compound bow, or crossbow. (2) "Firearm" has the meaning assigned by Section 62.014. (3) "Navigable river or stream" has the meaning assigned by Section 90.001. (b) Except as provided by Subsection (c), a person may not discharge a firearm or s…
In this code: (1) "Hunt" means capture, trap, take, or kill, or an attempt to capture, trap, take, or kill. (2) "Catch" means take or kill and includes an attempt to take or kill. (3) "Sell" means to transfer the ownership or the right of possession of an item to a person for consideration and includes a barter and an…
In this code: (1) "Commission" means the Parks and Wildlife Commission. (2) "Department" means the Parks and Wildlife Department. (3) "Director" means the executive director of the Parks and Wildlife Department. (4) "Presiding officer" means the presiding officer of the Parks and Wildlife Commission.
The commission shall develop and implement policies that clearly separate the policymaking responsibilities of the commission and the management responsibilities of the director and the department staff.
A requirement under state law that a law enforcement agency adopt a policy that requires the collection and reporting of information relating to persons detained during traffic stops, that a peace officer report information relating to persons detained during traffic and pedestrian stops, or that a law enforcement agen…
(a) The commission by rule may prescribe the proof required to demonstrate residency in this state for the purpose of obtaining a license or permit issued by the department. (b) Expired. (c) Expired.
(a) The commission may not adopt rules that require a person 13 years of age or younger who applies for a license under Chapter 42, 46, or 50 to provide the applicant's social security number. (b) The commission may adopt a rule requiring an applicant described by Subsection (a) or the applicant's parent or guardian to…
The Parks and Wildlife Department is established as an agency of the state. It is under the policy direction of the Parks and Wildlife Commission.
The Parks and Wildlife Department is subject to Chapter 325, Government Code (Texas Sunset Act). Unless continued in existence as provided by that chapter, the department is abolished September 1, 2035.
(a) The commission consists of nine members appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of two-thirds of the members of the senate present and voting. (b) If the senate is not in session, the governor shall appoint the members and issue commissions to them as provided by law, and their appointment shall be su…
A person may not be a public member of the commission if the person or the person's spouse: (1) is registered, certified, or licensed by a regulatory agency in the field of conservation, outdoor recreation, or commercial fishing, unless the license is a noncommercial hunting or fishing license or a license issued under…
(a) In this section, "Texas trade association" means a cooperative and voluntarily joined association of business or professional competitors in this state designed to assist its members and its industry or profession in dealing with mutual business or professional problems and in promoting their common interest. (b) A…
A person may not be a member of the commission or act as the general counsel to the commission or the department if the person is required to register as a lobbyist under Chapter 305, Government Code, because of the person's activities for compensation on behalf of a profession related to the operation of the departmen…
Appointments to the commission shall be made without regard to the race, color, disability, sex, religion, age, or national origin of the appointees.
(a) It is a ground for removal from the commission that: (1) a public member does not have at the time of taking office the qualifications required by Section 11.0121; (2) a public member does not maintain during service on the commission the qualifications required by Section 11.0121; (3) a member is ineligible for me…
(a) A person who is appointed to and qualifies for office as a member of the commission may not vote, deliberate, or be counted as a member in attendance at a meeting of the commission until the person completes a training program that complies with this section. (b) The training program must provide the person with in…
The members of the commission hold office for staggered terms of six years, with the terms of three members expiring every two years. Each member holds office until his successor is appointed and has qualified. The terms expire on January 31 of odd-numbered years.
(a) The governor shall designate a member of the commission as the presiding officer of the commission to serve in that capacity at the pleasure of the governor. (b) A vacancy in the office of presiding officer is filled in the same manner as the original designation.
(a) The commission may meet as often as is necessary but shall meet at least once during each quarter of the year. Five members constitute a quorum. (b) The commission shall hold an annual public meeting to receive public comments concerning any issue relating to the commission's regulatory powers and duties.
(a) In this section, "major decision" means a decision in which a vote is taken on: (1) a rule; (2) a proclamation; (3) a contract; (4) a budget; (5) a grant; (6) a development plan for a geographical area managed by the department; (7) a memorandum of understanding with another governmental entity; or (8) any other is…