AUSTIN, Texas — The author of a bill seeking to abolish the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) is saying he will not move forward with the legislation.

What You Need To Know

  • Rep. Pat Curry, R-Waco, withdrew a House bill aimed at abolishing the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department

  • Curry said the bill was filed to open a dialogue about regulations on the deer breeding industry over Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD)

  • Texas saw 387 positive cases of CWD from January to August 2024

Texas Rep. Pat Curry, R-Waco, said House Bill 4938 was filed to bring members of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission to the table to discuss proposed regulations on the deer breeding industry in the state. 

Curry said that he had a series of “productive conversations” with TPWD staff and that is why he will not move forward with his bill to eliminate the department. 

“I felt filing the bill was necessary to get the agency’s attention after discussions over proposed regulations on deer breeders had failed,” Curry said in a statement. These proposed regulations, all in the name of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD), threaten to infringe upon our private property and small business owners rights.”

The proposed regulations were designed to stop the spread of CWD — a fatal neurological disease in deer that is sometimes called zombie deer disease. 

From January to August 2024, the state saw 387 positive cases of CWD, according to reporting from the Texas Tribune. 

Curry said the regulations have caused him to receive dozens of complaints from constituents. He also clarified that he is not a licensed deer breeder and has not profited off of deer breeding.

“I am a rancher, farmer, deer and wildlife hunter, fisherman, and small business owner. My only interest in filing this bill is to protect my constituents, landowners, and the deer breeding industry, which provides over $9 billion to the Texas economy each year,” Curry said. 

Curry went on to say that he respects that the state wildlife department has a duty to create rules which include protecting the deer breeding industry, and he said he is fully committed to working with TPWD staff in the future.

“As a conservative, I will always stand up when I believe our rights are under attack,” Curry said, concluding his statement. “While this bill might have ruffled some feathers, I believe the conversation was necessary, and I appreciate TPWDs willingness to work with me for the benefit of all Texans.”

HB 4938, if passed, would have redistributed the responsibilities of TPWD among three other state agencies.