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SB1247

Regular Session

Relating to consolidating certain nonresident hunting licenses.

Moderate
Medium Cost
Effective:2025-09-01
SB1247
Moderate
Relating to consolidating certain nonresident hunting licenses.
Moderate Compliance Urgency
Requires near-term attention
Cost Impact
Medium
Effective
2025-09-01
Enforcing Agencies
TPWD
Primary Author: Sen. Charles Perry
89th Texas Legislature
jdkey.com
01

Compliance Analysis

Key implementation requirements and action items for compliance with this legislation

Implementation Timeline

  • Effective Date: September 1, 2025
  • Compliance Deadline: Immediate for all bookings scheduled for the 2025-2026 hunting season. Pricing and client advisories must reflect these changes now to avoid under-collection of fees.
  • Agency Rulemaking: The Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission (TPWC) must formally set the fee for the new Nonresident Five-Day Hunting License prior to September 1, 2025. Monitor the July and August TPWC meetings for the final fee structure.

Immediate Action Plan

  • 1. Audit Bookings: Review all nonresident reservations for Sept 1, 2025, onward. Identify clients booked for turkey who were expecting to buy the cheaper Spring Turkey license.
  • 2. Update Pricing: Adjust website pricing and all-inclusive package rates to reflect the $315 General License cost.
  • 3. Notify Clients: Send a "Regulatory Update" email to affected clients explaining the state-mandated cost increase to preempt disputes upon arrival.
  • 4. Monitor TPWC: Assign staff to track the TPWC summer meeting agenda for the final fee adoption of the Five-Day license.

Operational Changes Required

Contracts

  • Booking Agreements: Insert or trigger "Governmental Fee Change" clauses immediately. You must have the contractual right to pass the increased license cost (approx. $189 increase for turkey hunters) to clients who have already booked.
  • Liability Waivers: Update waivers to include a client representation that they possess the specific license required for their target species. Explicitly note that the Five-Day license is invalid for turkey, deer, antelope, sheep, and alligator.

Hiring/Training

  • Guide Verification Training: Guides must be retrained to visually distinguish between the General License and the Five-Day License.
  • Field Enforcement: Establish a "No License, No Hunt" protocol. If a client arrives for a turkey hunt with a Five-Day license, guides must be authorized to halt the hunt until a General License is purchased. Allowing the hunt to proceed constitutes a Class C misdemeanor and risks commercial liability.

Reporting & Record-Keeping

  • Client Communications: Update "What to Bring" lists and website FAQs. Explicitly state: *"The Nonresident Spring Turkey License has been repealed by the Texas Legislature. You must purchase the Nonresident General Hunting License."*
  • Audit Logs: Maintain a pre-hunt log verifying that the license type matches the target species for every nonresident client.

Fees & Costs

  • Turkey Hunters: Cost increases from ~$126 (Spring Turkey) to ~$315 (General License).
  • Banded Bird Hunters: Cost increases from ~$27 to an estimated ~$48 (Five-Day License).
  • "All-Inclusive" Packages: If your business covers license fees, your margins on turkey and bird hunts have contracted significantly. Reprice 2025-2026 packages immediately.

Strategic Ambiguities & Considerations

  • The "50% Cap" Pricing Risk: The statute caps the Five-Day License fee at 50% of the General License fee (potentially up to ~$157). While the Legislative Budget Board *estimates* the fee will be ~$48, the Commission has the authority to set it higher. Do not guarantee the $48 price point to clients until TPWC finalizes the rule.
  • Scope of "Five-Day" Restrictions: While the statute lists excluded species (deer, turkey, etc.), agency rulemaking may clarify or restrict the definition of "exotics" allowed under the Five-Day license.

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Information presented is for general knowledge only and is provided without warranty, express or implied. Consult qualified government affairs professionals and legal counsel before making compliance decisions.

02

Legislative Timeline

This bill's path through the Texas Legislature

Filed
Feb 12, 2025
Passed Senate
Apr 16, 2025
Passed House
May 20, 2025
Signed
May 30, 2025
TopicsAnimalsParks & WildlifeParks & Wildlife--hunting & FishingParks & Wildlife--licenses
03

Senate Authors

Sen. Charles PerryRepublican · Primary Author

House Sponsor

Rep. William MetcalfRepublican · Primary Sponsor

Bill Text(with markup)

View bill text in multiple formats on Texas Legislature website

Fiscal NoteView Original

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Quick Reference

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about SB1247

Q

What does Texas SB1247 do?

SB1247 repeals the Nonresident Spring Turkey, Special, and Banded Bird licenses effective September 1, 2025, forcing nonresident clients to purchase either the significantly more expensive Nonresident General Hunting License or the restricted Nonresident Five-Day Hunting License. This consolidation creates an immediate 150% cost increase for turkey hunters and introduces strict species limitations on the Five-Day license that outfitters must verify in the field. Implementation Timeline Effective Date: September 1, 2025 Compliance Deadline: Immediate for all bookings scheduled for the 2025-2026 hunting season.

Q

Who authored SB1247?

SB1247 was authored by Texas Senator Charles Perry during the Regular Session.

Q

When was SB1247 signed into law?

SB1247 was signed into law by Governor Greg Abbott on May 30, 2025.

Q

Which agencies enforce SB1247?

SB1247 is enforced by Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD).

Q

How urgent is compliance with SB1247?

The compliance urgency for SB1247 is rated as "moderate". Businesses and organizations should review the requirements and timeline to ensure timely compliance.

Q

What is the cost impact of SB1247?

The cost impact of SB1247 is estimated as "medium". This may vary based on industry and implementation requirements.

Q

What topics does SB1247 address?

SB1247 addresses topics including animals, parks & wildlife, parks & wildlife--hunting & fishing and parks & wildlife--licenses.

Legislative data provided by LegiScanLast updated: November 25, 2025

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