Relating to the control by lethal means of white-tailed deer in certain areas.

Contracts

• Vendor Agreements: Service agreements with wildlife control professionals must be amended to explicitly reference Subchapter H, Chapter 43, Parks and Wildlife Code.
• Indemnification: Update indemnity clauses to protect the POA or Institution against claims arising from the discharge of firearms or archery equipment in populated areas.
• Compensation Structure: The law now explicitly permits paying vendors for this service. Ensure payment terms are tied to regulatory compliance (proper disposal/reporting), not just volume of animals taken.

Hiring/Training

• Biologist Assessment: You must hire or contract a qualified biologist *before* applying. The law requires "evidence" of habitat damage or overpopulation.
• Vendor Vetting: Ensure contracted personnel hold valid state credentials for lethal control. Under this statute, general pest control licenses may not suffice without the specific TPWD permit.

Reporting & Record-Keeping

• Sworn Applications: The initial application is a sworn affidavit. Legal counsel must review the "evidence of infeasibility" of recreational hunting before submission to avoid perjury risks.
• Operational Logs: Establish a logbook to track:
• Date/Time of control activities.
• Number of deer taken.
• Disposition of carcasses (e.g., donation receipts).

Fees & Costs

• Permit Reinstatement Fee: A new fee will be established by TPWD rule for reinstating suspended permits.
• Operational Costs: Budget for professional biologist surveys (pre-application) and increased insurance premiums for liability coverage regarding lethal activities.