HB 350 — Hunting dog field trials held exclusively on privately o

90R1553 MP-D By: Shofner H.B. No. 350 relating to hunting dog field trials held exclusively on privately owned land.

SECTION 1. Chapter 42, Parks and Wildlife Code, is amended by adding Section 42.0055 to read as follows: Sec. 42.0055. LICENSE EXEMPTION FOR PARTICIPANTS IN FIELD TRIALS HELD ON PRIVATELY OWNED LAND. (a) In this section, "field trial" has the meaning assigned by Section 43.251. (b) An individual registered to participate in a field trial held exclusively on privately owned land is exempt from the hunting license requirements of this chapter while: (1) the individual is participating in the field trial; and (2) any firearm in the individual's immediate possession is not possessed for the purpose of taking an animal.

SECTION 2. Subchapter J, Chapter 43, Parks and Wildlife Code, is amended by adding Section 43.2515 to read as follows: Sec. 43.2515. APPLICABILITY OF SUBCHAPTER. This subchapter does not apply to a field trial held exclusively on privately owned land.

SECTION 3. Section 43.252(b), Parks and Wildlife Code, is amended to read as follows: (b) The department may issue a permit under this section only for a field trial held [ on privately owned land or ] on public land as provided by the [ authorized under commission ] rules adopted under Section 43.253(a). A permit issued under this section may include a field trial that is held on both public and private land.

SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2027.