SUBCHAPTER V.  NONINDIGENOUS SNAKE 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.