Texas Parks and Wildlife Code
§ 66.007 — EXOTIC HARMFUL OR POTENTIALLY HARMFUL FISH AND SHELLFISH
PW § 66.007Title 5. WILDLIFE AND PLANT CONSERVATION · Part B. HUNTING AND FISHING · Ch. 66. FISH AND AQUATIC PLANTS · Art. A. PROVISIONS APPLICABLE TO FRESHWATER AND SALTWATER FISHING AND AQUATIC PLANTS
Statute text
View on source(a)No person may import, possess, sell, or place into the public water of this state exotic harmful or potentially harmful fish or shellfish except as authorized by rule or permit issued by the department.
(b)The department shall publish a list of exotic fish and exotic shellfish for which a permit under Subsection (a) is required.
(c)The department shall make rules to carry out this section. (c-1) The commission by rule shall waive the initial and renewal fees for an exotic species permit if the permit or permit renewal is requested by a public school to establish and maintain an educational program that will give students experience with a sustainable system of agriculture that mixes aquaculture and hydroponics. To qualify for the fee waiver, the school must submit an application to the department showing that the school's program meets the department's requirements, including requirements for supervision, handling of the exotic species, and control of wastes.
(d)An operator of a commercial aquaculture facility as defined by Section 134.001, Agriculture Code, may import, possess, or sell harmful or potentially harmful exotic fish species as provided by Section 134.020, Agriculture Code.
(e)In this section:
(1)"Exotic fish" means a nonindigenous fish that is not normally found in the public water of this state.
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Legislative history
Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 952 (H.B. 3391), Sec. 14, eff. September 1, 2009. Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 661 (S.B. 1480), Sec. 3, eff. June 17, 2011. Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 661 (S.B. 1480), Sec. 4, eff. June 17, 2011. Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 661 (S.B. 1480), Sec. 8, eff. June 17, 2011. Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 163 (S.B. 1212), Sec. 1, eff. May 24, 2013. Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 259 (S.B. 1204), Sec. 2, eff. May 29, 2015. Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1048 (H.B. 1919), Sec. 1, eff. June 19, 2015. Acts 2021, 87th Leg., R.S., Ch. 848 (S.B. 703), Sec. 53, eff. September 1, 2021.