Bill > HB676

This bill adds a new section to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Code that permits the use of unmanned aircraft (drones) to assist in locating and retrieving wounded or killed wildlife on private land, with two key conditions: the drone must be operated in full compliance with all Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) rules, restrictions, and required authorizations. The bill specifically prevents the Parks and Wildlife Commission from creating additional regulatory barriers by prohibiting them from requiring hunters or wildlife managers to obtain special departmental authorizations to use drones for this purpose. The new law would take effect on September 1, 2025, and is designed to provide hunters and wildlife managers with a technological tool to more efficiently find and retrieve game animals that have been wounded during hunting or have died on private property. By explicitly allowing drone use while maintaining existing federal aviation safety standards, the bill aims to modernize wildlife management practices.

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https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=HB676