Overall Vote Recommendation

Yes

Principle Criteria

Free Enterprise

Property Rights

Personal Responsibility

Limited Government

Individual Liberty

Digest

SB 1245 proposes an amendment to Section 43.1075 of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Code. This legislation expands the existing authority granted under the state’s aerial wildlife management permit system to include aoudad sheep west of the Pecos River. Previously, this section only permitted the use of helicopters to take depredating feral hogs and coyotes. The bill now allows qualified landowners or their agents, as determined by rule of the Parks and Wildlife Commission, to engage in helicopter-based hunting or observation of these species, including the newly added aoudad sheep, provided they hold the appropriate permit.

The purpose of this bill is to enhance the capacity of landowners and land managers to address invasive or nuisance wildlife, specifically aoudad sheep (also known as Barbary sheep), which are not native to Texas and pose a threat to native species and habitats. Aoudad sheep compete for resources with native desert bighorn sheep and can cause significant ecological disruption, particularly in West Texas, where their populations have grown substantially. By authorizing aerial management methods for aoudad sheep, the bill aims to provide an efficient tool for wildlife and land management in remote or rugged terrain.

SB 1245 directs the Parks and Wildlife Commission to adopt or amend rules as necessary to implement this statutory change.

The originally filed version of SB 1245 focused narrowly on authorizing the use of helicopters by landowners or their agents to take aoudad sheep, alongside existing provisions for feral hogs and coyotes. It simply inserted “aoudad sheep” into the list of animals that may be taken using helicopters under a permit issued by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. The language was concise and made no geographical distinctions about where aoudad sheep could be taken.

The Committee Substitute version introduces a key change by geographically limiting the helicopter-based taking of aoudad sheep to areas west of the Pecos River. This is a notable specification that narrows the scope of the bill to a particular region in West Texas, where the presence and impact of aoudad sheep are most significant due to competition with native desert bighorn sheep and other ecological concerns. This change aligns the bill more closely with localized wildlife management goals and addresses concerns that may have been raised during the committee review process.

Additionally, while both versions maintain the same effective date and direct the Parks and Wildlife Commission to adopt rules for implementation, the substitute bill also makes minor wording adjustments to improve clarity and grammar, such as adjusting the structure of the list of animals for better readability. These edits reflect standard legislative drafting practices but do not alter the substantive effect of the bill.

Author

Cesar Blanco

Co-Author

Peter Flores

Sponsor

Eddie Morales

William Metcalf

Cody Vasut

Helen Kerwin

Contact the Author

Sen. Cesar Blanco

Capitol Phone:

Capitol Office:

CAP 3E.2

E-Mail:

[email protected]

Visit Official Website

Fiscal Notes

According to the Legislative Budget Board (LBB), SB 1245 is not expected to have a significant fiscal impact on the State of Texas. The Parks and Wildlife Department, which would be responsible for implementing the provisions of the bill, is anticipated to absorb any related costs using existing agency resources. This suggests that administrative adjustments, such as updating rules or managing permits related to helicopter-based aoudad sheep control, fall within the department's current operational capacity.

Additionally, the fiscal note explicitly states that there will be no fiscal implications for units of local government. This means counties, municipalities, or other local authorities will not incur new costs or responsibilities as a result of the bill’s implementation. This neutrality in cost reinforces the bill's low financial burden while providing landowners in West Texas more tools to manage invasive species like aoudad sheep.

Overall, SB 1245 is designed to achieve its policy goals—enhancing landowner flexibility in managing wildlife—without necessitating additional state appropriations or imposing costs on local governments.

Vote Recommendation Notes

SB 1245 presents a focused and practical approach to mitigating a serious ecological threat in West Texas. The bill amends the Parks and Wildlife Code to allow qualified landowners or their agents to use helicopters for the targeted removal of aoudad sheep west of the Pecos River. The justification for this legislative action is rooted in significant environmental concerns, as outlined in the bill analysis: aoudad sheep, an invasive species, are not only outcompeting native wildlife such as mule deer and desert bighorn sheep for food and habitat but are also vectors for a highly contagious and deadly pneumonia-causing bacterium (Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae).

The bill enhances individual liberty and private property rights by equipping landowners with the tools necessary to protect their lands and native wildlife ecosystems. It reinforces personal responsibility by placing wildlife management into the hands of those most directly affected, and it supports free enterprise by potentially expanding the market for aerial wildlife control services. From a limited government standpoint, SB 1245 avoids creating new bureaucracy or imposing additional costs, as the fiscal note confirms no significant state or local fiscal impact.

The geographic limitation—restricting helicopter hunting of aoudad sheep to areas west of the Pecos River—demonstrates careful legislative tailoring. It addresses ecological priorities without overextending regulatory authority. The Parks and Wildlife Commission retains oversight via rulemaking, ensuring safeguards remain in place. Given its ecological rationale, limited scope, and alignment with core liberty principles, Texas Policy Research recommends that lawmakers vote YES on SB 1245.

Individual Liberty: The bill enhances the ability of landowners and their authorized agents to protect their property and wildlife through lawful means, such as aerial wildlife management. It affirms their right to make decisions about managing invasive species without unnecessary state restrictions, provided they follow the permitting process. This respects individual autonomy in the stewardship of land and natural resources.
Personal Responsibility: The bill places responsibility for managing invasive aoudad sheep populations directly into the hands of landowners and their agents. By giving these stakeholders a tool (helicopter usage) to deal with the issue, the bill encourages proactive and responsible land and wildlife management. It recognizes that those closest to the problem are often best positioned to address it.
Free Enterprise: By expanding the scope of permissible helicopter-based wildlife control, the bill may support or expand business opportunities for licensed aerial service providers and wildlife control operators. These enterprises stand to benefit from increased demand, which could spur job creation and economic activity, particularly in rural areas of West Texas.
Private Property Rights: This is perhaps the most directly affected liberty principle. Aoudad sheep, being invasive and potentially destructive, threaten the ecological and economic value of privately owned lands. This bill reinforces the right of landowners to defend their property from ecological degradation using effective, lawful tools. It restores a measure of control over one's land and its use.
Limited Government: The bill does not create new bureaucracies or expand government control. Instead, it modifies existing law to allow more flexibility under current permitting systems, maintaining necessary oversight through the Parks and Wildlife Commission. The fiscal note confirms that no new funding or administrative burden is anticipated, reflecting a restraint in state expansion.

Related Legislation

HB 5398 (Same As)

View Bill Text and Status