TX SB2846

Transfers wildlife disease control authority from the Texas Animal Health Commission to the Parks and Wildlife Department, requiring the two agencies to complete the transfer by September 1, 2026, with a memorandum of understanding due by November 1, 2025

Authorizes the Parks and Wildlife Department to establish quarantines on wildlife to control or eradicate diseases, covering areas ranging from specific premises to statewide, with special provisions limiting quarantines for chronic wasting disease cases at deer breeder facilities to only the affected premises

Creates criminal offenses for knowingly failing to handle diseased or exposed wildlife according to commission rules, moving wildlife in violation of quarantine, refusing to allow wildlife identification, and illegally importing wildlife, with penalties ranging from Class C to Class A Parks and Wildlife Code misdemeanors for repeat offenders

Authorizes administrative penalties up to $5,000 per day for violations, with penalty amounts based on factors including seriousness of violation, economic harm, violation history, and efforts to correct the problem

Requires veterinarians, diagnostic laboratories, and persons controlling wildlife to report listed diseases within 24 hours of diagnosis, and mandates proper disposal of wildlife carcasses from listed diseases according to commission rules