Bill Text: TX HB5259 | 2025-2026 | 89th Legislature | Comm Sub

Texas House Bill 5259

Bill Title: Relating to a wildlife corridor action plan developed by the Parks and Wildlife Department and certain other duties of the department relating to wildlife corridors.

Sponsorship: Partisan Bill (Democrat 2)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2025-05-14 - Committee report sent to Calendars [HB5259 Detail]

Download: Texas-2025-HB5259-Comm_Sub.html

	89R10999 MP-D

	By: Flores, Cole	H.B. No. 5259



	A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
	AN ACT
	relating to a wildlife corridor action plan developed by the Parks
	and Wildlife Department and certain other duties of the department
	relating to wildlife corridors.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
	SECTION 1. Chapter 12, Parks and Wildlife Code, is amended
	by adding Subchapter I to read as follows:
	SUBCHAPTER I. WILDLIFE CORRIDORS
	Sec. 12.801. DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter:
	(1) "Plan" means the wildlife corridor action plan
	developed under this subchapter.
	(2) "Wildlife corridor" means a designated area that
	connects wildlife populations and habitats that would otherwise be
	separated by human activities or structures.
	Sec. 12.802. WILDLIFE CORRIDOR ACTION PLAN. (a) The
	department, in consultation with the Texas Department of
	Transportation, shall develop a wildlife corridor action plan that
	recommends and prioritizes wildlife crossing projects intended to
	promote driver safety and wildlife connectivity.
	(b) In developing the plan, the department shall use the
	best available science and department surveys to identify, list,
	and describe:
	(1) wildlife corridors;
	(2) existing and planned barriers to wildlife movement
	along wildlife corridors;
	(3) areas with a high risk of vehicle collisions with
	wildlife;
	(4) habitats that are:
	(A) of high quality for priority species and
	ecosystem health;
	(B) occupied by rare or at-risk species; or
	(C) designated as critical habitat under the
	Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. Section 1531 et seq.);
	(5) migration routes of native, game, and migratory
	species; and
	(6) land containing a high prevalence of existing
	human barriers to wildlife corridors, including roads, dams, power
	lines, and pipelines.
	(c) The plan must recommend wildlife crossing projects that
	prioritize promotion of driver safety and wildlife connectivity.
	For each recommended project, the plan must include a description
	of the project and the proposed wildlife crossing infrastructure or
	other mitigation techniques recommended to meet plan goals.
	(d) The department shall include in the plan maps detailing
	high-priority areas for wildlife corridor infrastructure and any
	other information necessary to meet the goals of the plan.
	(e) Not later than December 1, 2026, the department shall
	submit the plan to the governor, lieutenant governor, and speaker
	of the house of representatives. This subsection expires September
	1, 2027.
	Sec. 12.803. COORDINATION WITH OTHER ENTITIES. The
	department shall assist other state agencies and political
	subdivisions of this state, and on request any federal agency, to
	consider and incorporate wildlife corridors, including plan
	recommendations, when developing any governmental strategic plan,
	map, or action.
	Sec. 12.804. PLAN PUBLICATION AND UPDATES. The department
	shall:
	(1) maintain publication of the plan on the
	department's Internet website; and
	(2) periodically update the department's Internet
	website with information regarding the implementation of wildlife
	corridor projects recommended under the plan.
	SECTION 2. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
	a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
	provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
	Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
	Act takes effect September 1, 2025.