Permit

Sec. 43.851. PERMIT. (a) The commission by rule shall establish permits that allow permit holders to possess or transport in this state a live nonindigenous snake, including a hybrid of any kind, that is: (1) venomous; or (2) a constrictor that is one of the following: (A) African rock python, Python sebae; (B) Asiatic rock python, Python molurus; (C) Burmese python, Python bivittatus; (D) green anaconda, Eunectes murinus; (E) reticulated python, Python reticulatus; or (F) southern African python, Python natalensis. (b) The commission shall establish separate permits for recreational and commercial purposes. (c) A permit under this subchapter is not required for: (1) a state or county official performing an official duty; (2) a licensed zoo that possesses or transports a snake for exhibition or scientific purposes; (3) a research facility, including a university, licensed under the Animal Welfare Act (7 U.S.C. Section 2131 et seq.) that possesses or transports a snake for scientific purposes; or (4) a person who assists a department employee in the handling or transport of a snake under this subchapter. (d) Except as provided by Subsection (c), a person may not possess or transport in this state a snake described by Subsection (a) without a permit issued by the department under this subchapter. (e) A person convicted of a violation of this subchapter or a rule adopted under this subchapter may not obtain a permit before the fifth anniversary of the date of the conviction. Added by Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1159 (H.B. 12), Sec. 41, eff. September 1, 2007. Amended by: Acts 2021, 87th Leg., R.S., Ch. 340 (H.B. 2326), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2021.