Regular Session
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department • Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission
Key implementation requirements and action items for compliance with this legislation
The statute uses the term "depredating" without defining the evidentiary threshold.
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This bill's path through the Texas Legislature
BILL ANALYSIS
| Senate Research Center | S.B. 1245 |
| 89R5765 BEE-F | By: Blanco |
| Water, Agriculture and Rural Affairs | |
| 3/27/2025 | |
| As Filed |
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
Aoudad sheep, originally introduced in West Texas in the 1950s, have since established large and rapidly growing populations across the Trans-Pecos region. This species offers valuable hunting opportunities, but their high reproductive rates and adaptability pose a serious threat to native wildlife.
Aoudad have broader dietary flexibility and occupy the same habitats as the native species, mule deer and desert bighorn sheep, often outcompeting them for limited resources. Additionally, aoudad sheep pose a significant health risk to these native species as they carry Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae (M. ovi.), a pneumonia-causing bacteria. Desert bighorn sheep in particular have contracted these infections, resulting in a rapid decrease of the native population. The Borderlands Research Institute along with partnering agencies found that this bacteria has resulted in the mortality of at least half of the desert bighorn sheep population since 2019.
Aoudad sheep continue to face a significant risk and expanding the regulation of hunting aoudad sheep can help mitigate this risk. To protect native species and the population of desert bighorn sheep, S.B. 1245 will amend Section 43.1075 of the Parks and Wildlife Code to include "aoudad sheep." This bill will seek to address the rapidly growing population of aoudads by allowing landowners or their authorized agent to contract a hunter or observer to use a helicopter for the aoudad's removal.
As proposed, S.B. 1245 amends current law relating to the taking of certain aoudad sheep by using a helicopter.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
Rulemaking authority is expressly granted to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission in SECTION 2 of this bill.
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Section 43.1075, Parks and Wildlife Code, to authorize a qualified landowner or landowner's agent, as determined by Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission (TPWC) rule, to contract to participate as a hunter or observer in using a helicopter to take certain depredating species, including aoudad sheep, under the authority of a permit issued under Chapter 43 (Special Licenses and Permits) and to make nonsubstantive changes.
SECTION 2. Requires TPWC, as soon as practicable after the effective date of this Act, to adopt or amend rules as necessary to implement the change in law made by this Act.�
SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 2025.
| S.B. No. 1245 | ||
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| relating to the taking of aoudad sheep by using a helicopter. | ||
| BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: | ||
| SECTION 1. Section 43.1075, Parks and Wildlife Code, is | ||
| amended to read as follows: | ||
| Sec. 43.1075. USING HELICOPTERS TO TAKE CERTAIN ANIMALS. | ||
| Under the authority of a permit issued under this subchapter, a [ |
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| qualified landowner or landowner's agent, as determined by | ||
| commission rule, may contract to participate as a hunter or | ||
| observer in using a helicopter to take depredating: | ||
| (1) feral hogs; | ||
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(2) [ |
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(3) aoudad sheep [ |
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| SECTION 2. As soon as practicable after the effective date | ||
| of this Act, the Parks and Wildlife Commission shall adopt or amend | ||
| rules as necessary to implement the change in law made by this Act. | ||
| SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025. | ||
| TO: | Honorable Charles Perry, Chair, Senate Committee on Water, Agriculture and Rural Affairs |
| FROM: | Jerry McGinty, Director, Legislative Budget Board |
| IN RE: | SB1245 by Blanco (Relating to the taking of certain aoudad sheep by using a helicopter.), As Introduced |
| Source Agencies: | 802 Parks and Wildlife Department |
| LBB Staff: | JMc, FV, MW, RSTE |
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Common questions about SB1245
SB1245 expands the scope of Aerial Wildlife Management Permits (AWMP) to include aoudad sheep, strictly classifying them as "depredating" animals alongside feral hogs and coyotes. This legislation authorizes landowners and helicopter operators to conduct aerial population control on aoudad, provided specific permitting and evidence requirements are met. Implementation Timeline Effective Date: September 1, 2025 Compliance Deadline: Late 2025 / Early 2026 (Estimated).
SB1245 was authored by Texas Senator Cesar Blanco during the Regular Session.
SB1245 was signed into law by Governor Greg Abbott on May 27, 2025.
SB1245 is enforced by Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission.
The compliance urgency for SB1245 is rated as "moderate". Businesses and organizations should review the requirements and timeline to ensure timely compliance.
The cost impact of SB1245 is estimated as "low". This may vary based on industry and implementation requirements.
SB1245 addresses topics including parks & wildlife, parks & wildlife--hunting & fishing, parks & wildlife commission, animals and pecos river.
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