2005 Texas Parks and Wildlife Code CHAPTER 42. GENERAL HUNTING LICENSE

PARKS AND WILDLIFE CODE

CHAPTER 42. GENERAL HUNTING LICENSE


	§ 42.001. DEFINITIONS.  In this chapter:                                    
		(1)  "Resident" means:                                                        
			(A)  an individual who has resided continuously in 
this state for more than six months immediately before applying for 
a hunting license;
			(B)  a member of the United States armed forces on 
active duty;            
			(C)  a dependent of a member of the United States 
armed forces on active duty;  or
			(D)  a member of any other category of individuals 
that the commission by regulation designates as residents.
		(2)  "Nonresident" means an individual who is not a 
resident.               
		(3)  "Carcass" means the body of a dead deer or 
antelope, as listed in Section 63.001(a), that has not been 
processed more than by quartering.
		(4)  "Final destination," for a carcass or wild turkey 
or any part of a carcass or wild turkey, means:
			(A)  the permanent residence of the hunter;                                  
			(B)  the permanent residence of any other person 
receiving the carcass or wild turkey or the part of a carcass or 
wild turkey;  or
			(C)  a cold storage or processing facility.                                  
		(5)  "Final processing," for a carcass or wild turkey, 
means the cleaning of the dead animal for cooking or storage 
purposes.  For a carcass, the term also includes the processing of 
the animal more than by quartering.
		(6)  "Cold storage or processing facility" means a 
stationary facility designed and constructed to store or process 
game animals and game birds.
		(7)  "Wildlife resource document" means a document 
prescribed by the department, other than a tag or permit, that 
allows a person to give, leave, receive, or possess any species of 
legally taken game bird or game animal, or part of a legally taken 
game bird or game animal, if the game bird or game animal is 
otherwise required to have a tag or permit attached or is protected 
by a bag or possession limit.
		(8)  "Quartering" means the processing of an animal 
into not more than two hindquarters each having the leg bone 
attached to the hock and two forequarters each having the leg 
portion to the knee attached to the shoulder blade.  The term also 
includes removal of two back straps and trimmings from the neck and 
rib cage.

Acts 1975, 64th Leg., p. 1405, ch. 545, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1975.  
Amended by Acts 1977, 65th Leg., p. 612, ch. 223, § 1, eff. Sept. 
1, 1977;  Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., ch. 301, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1991;  
Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 838, § 1, eff. July 15, 1993;  Acts 
1997, 75th Leg., ch. 1256, § 28, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.


	§ 42.002. RESIDENT LICENSE REQUIRED;  EXEMPTION..  (a) 
Except as provided by Subsections (b) and (c) of this section, no 
resident may hunt any bird or animal in this state without having 
acquired a hunting license.
	(b)  A resident possessing a valid resident trapper's 
license or fur-bearing animal propagation permit is not required to 
have a license issued under this section to take or possess the 
species covered by the license or permit.
	(c)  A resident landowner or the landowner's agent or lessee 
may take feral hogs causing depredation on the resident landowner's 
land without having acquired a hunting license.

Acts 1975, 64th Leg., p. 1405, ch. 545, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1975.  
Amended by Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 267, art. 2, § 7, eff. Sept. 
1, 1985;  Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 931, § 4, eff. June 16, 1995;  
Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 809, § 1, 2, eff. June 20, 2003;  Acts 
2005, 79th Leg., ch. 992, § 6, eff. June 18, 2005.


	§ 42.0021. LIFETIME RESIDENT HUNTING LICENSE.  The 
department may issue to residents of this state a lifetime resident 
hunting license.

Added by Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 267, art. 2, § 8, eff. Sept. 1, 
1986. 


	§ 42.005. NONRESIDENT LICENSE REQUIRED.  (a) No 
nonresident in this state may hunt a mule deer, white-tailed deer, 
turkey, pronghorn antelope, or desert bighorn sheep in this state 
without first having acquired a general nonresident hunting 
license.
	(b)  Except as provided by Subsection (f), no nonresident may 
hunt any bird or animal in this state without first having acquired 
a general nonresident hunting license, a nonresident special 
hunting license, or a nonresident five-day special hunting license.
	(c)  A nonresident possessing a valid nonresident trapper's 
license is not required to have a license issued under this section 
to take or possess the species governed by the license.
	(d)  No nonresident may hunt a turkey during the spring 
turkey hunting season without first having acquired a license as 
required by Subsection (b) of this section or a nonresident spring 
turkey hunting license.
	(e)  A nonresident may not acquire or possess during a 
license year:         
		(1)  more than one nonresident spring turkey hunting 
license;  or           
		(2)  a general nonresident hunting license and a 
nonresident spring turkey hunting license.
	(f)  A nonresident landowner or the landowner's agent or 
lessee may take feral hogs causing depredation on the nonresident 
landowner's land without having acquired a hunting license required 
by this chapter.

Acts 1975, 64th Leg., p. 1405, ch. 545, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1975.  
Amended by Acts 1977, 65th Leg., p. 317, ch. 150, § 1, eff. Aug. 
29, 1977;  Acts 1981, 67th Leg., p. 1859, ch. 439, § 1, eff. Aug. 
31, 1981;  Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 267, art. 2, § 9, eff. Sept. 
1, 1985;  Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 609, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1987;  
Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., ch. 95, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1991;  Acts 1997, 
75th Leg., ch. 863, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1997;  Acts 2003, 78th 
Leg., ch. 809, § 3, eff. June 20, 2003;  Acts 2005, 79th Leg., ch. 
992, § 7, eff. June 18, 2005.


	§ 42.006. POSSESSION OF LICENSE:  RULES.  The commission 
by rule may prescribe requirements relating to possessing a license 
issued under this chapter.

Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 931, § 5, eff. June 16, 1995.           


	§ 42.010. ISSUANCE AND FORM OF LICENSES AND TAGS.  (a) The 
department shall prescribe the form of and issue the licenses and 
tags authorized by this chapter.
	(b)  The department may issue tags for animals or birds 
allowed by law to be killed during each year or season to holders of 
licenses authorizing the killing of animals or birds.  The 
commission may establish fees for the tags.
	(c)  A person commits an offense if the person does not enter 
the required information on a license or tag before hunting or if 
the person possesses a tag without a name entered on the tag.
	(d)  No person may issue or receive a license or tag 
authorized by this chapter except on the form provided by the 
department.
	(e)  The commission by regulation shall determine the number 
of tags that may be issued to an individual for taking animals or 
birds.

Acts 1975, 64th Leg., p. 1405, ch. 545, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1975.  
Amended by Acts 1977, 65th Leg., p. 612, ch. 223, § 2, eff. Sept. 
1, 1977;  Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 267, art. 2, § 10, eff. Sept. 
1, 1986;  Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., ch. 911, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1991;  
Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 931, § 6, eff. June 16, 1995.


	§ 42.012. RESIDENT LICENSE FEE.  (a) The fee for a 
resident hunting license is $8 or an amount set by the commission, 
whichever amount is more.
	(b)  The commission may set a lower fee or waive the fee or 
license requirement for a resident who is under 17 years old, 65 
years old or older, or participating in an event that is sponsored 
or co-sponsored by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department with the 
approval of the executive director.  The commission shall waive the 
fee for a qualified disabled veteran and for a resident on active 
duty as a member of the United States military forces.
	(c)  "Qualified disabled veteran" means a veteran with a 
service connected disability, as defined by the Veterans' 
Administration, consisting of the loss of the use of a lower 
extremity or of a disability rating of 60 percent or more and who is 
receiving compensation from the United States for the disability.

Acts 1975, 64th Leg., p. 1405, ch. 545, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1975.  
Amended by Acts 1983, 68th Leg., p. 1328, ch. 277, § 7, eff. 
Sept. 1, 1983;  Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 267, art. 2, § 12, eff. 
Sept. 1, 1985;  Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 838, § 2, eff. July 15, 
1993;  Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 931, § 7, eff. June 16, 1995;  
Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 840, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1997;  Acts 
2005, 79th Leg., ch. 145, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 2005.


	§ 42.0121. LIFETIME RESIDENT HUNTING LICENSE FEE.  The 
fee for a lifetime resident hunting license is $300 or an amount set 
by the commission, whichever amount is more.

Added by Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 267, art. 2, § 13, eff. Sept. 
1, 1986.  Amended by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 931, § 8, eff. June 
16, 1995.


	§ 42.014. NONRESIDENT SPECIAL HUNTING LICENSE FEE.  The 
fee for a nonresident special hunting license is $37.75 or an amount 
set by the commission, whichever amount is more. 

Acts 1975, 64th Leg., p. 1405, ch. 545, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1975.  
Amended by Acts 1977, 65th Leg., p. 317, ch. 150, § 2, eff. Aug. 
29, 1977;  Acts 1979, 66th Leg., p. 1397, ch. 623, § 1, eff. Aug. 
27, 1979;  Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 267, art. 2, § 14, eff. Sept. 
1, 1985;  Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 609, § 2, eff. Sept. 1, 1987;  
Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 931, § 9, eff. June 16, 1995.


	§ 42.0141. GENERAL NONRESIDENT HUNTING LICENSE FEE.  The 
fee for a general nonresident hunting license is $100.75 or an 
amount set by the commission, whichever amount is more.

Added by Acts 1977, 65th Leg., p. 317, ch. 150, § 3, eff. Aug. 29, 
1977.  Amended by Acts 1979, 66th Leg., p. 1397, ch. 623, § 2, 
eff. Aug. 27, 1979;  Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 267, art. 2, § 15, 
eff. Sept. 1, 1985;  Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 931, § 10, eff. 
June 16, 1995.


	§ 42.0142. NONRESIDENT BANDED BIRD HUNTING LICENSE FOR 
HUNTING ON A PRIVATE BIRD HUNTING AREA.  (a) In lieu of a general or 
nonresident special hunting license, a nonresident may acquire a 
banded bird hunting license from the department entitling the 
nonresident to take pen-reared, banded birds from a licensed 
private bird hunting area only.
	(b)  The fee for a nonresident banded bird hunting license is 
an amount set by the commission.

Added by Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 609, § 3, eff. Sept. 1, 1987.  
Amended by Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 512, § 3, eff. Sept. 1, 
1989;  Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 838, § 3, eff. Sept. 1, 1993;  
Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 931, § 11, eff. June 16, 1995.


	§ 42.0143. NONRESIDENT FIVE-DAY SPECIAL HUNTING 
LICENSE.  A nonresident five-day special hunting license is valid 
for five consecutive days.  The fee for the license is set by the 
commission in an amount not to exceed 50 percent of the amount of 
the fee set for a nonresident special hunting license.

Added by Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 609, § 4, eff. Sept. 1, 1987.  
Amended by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 931, § 12, eff. June 16, 
1995.


	§ 42.0144. NONRESIDENT SPRING TURKEY HUNTING LICENSE 
FEE.  The fee for a nonresident spring turkey hunting license is 
$75 or an amount set by the commission, whichever amount is more.

Added by Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., ch. 95, § 2, eff. Sept. 1, 1991.            


	§ 42.017. DUPLICATE LICENSE AND TAGS.  (a) If a person 
licensed to hunt under the provisions of this chapter loses the 
license or tags or if the license or tags are destroyed, the person 
may apply to the department for and receive a duplicate license or 
tags.
	(b)  The application for a duplicate license or tags is in 
the form of an affidavit and must contain a statement of fact 
concerning the loss or destruction of the license or tags and a 
statement of the number of birds or animals, if any, killed under 
the authority of the lost or destroyed license or tags.  The 
commission by regulation may prescribe additional requirements for 
the issuance of a duplicate license or tag under this section.
	(c)  A duplicate license entitling the holder to hunt any 
bird or animal shall be clearly marked to indicate those birds or 
animals previously killed under the authority of the lost or 
destroyed license or tags and to prevent the killing of more birds 
or animals than allowed for the year.
	(d)  The fee for a duplicate license or tags is $5 or an 
amount set by the commission, whichever amount is more.

Acts 1975, 64th Leg., p. 1405, ch. 545, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1975.  
Amended by Acts 1977, 65th Leg., p. 612, ch. 223, § 3, eff. Sept. 
1, 1977;  Acts 1983, 68th Leg., p. 1329, ch. 277, § 9, eff. Sept. 
1, 1983;  Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 267, art. 2, § 16, eff. Sept. 
1, 1985;  Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 838, § 4, eff. Sept. 1, 1993;  
Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 931, § 13, eff. June 16, 1995.


	§ 42.0175. EXPIRATION DATE.  (a) A license issued under 
this chapter, other than a lifetime resident hunting license or a 
nonresident five-day special hunting license is valid only during 
the yearly period for which the license is issued without regard to 
the date on which a license is acquired.  Each yearly period begins 
on September 1 or on another date set by the commission and extends 
through August 31 of the next year or another date set by the 
commission.  A license issued under this chapter other than a 
nonresident five-day special hunting license that is issued before 
September 1 or another date set by the commission and does not 
expire until August 31 of the next year or another date set by the 
commission is valid from the date of issuance through August 31 of 
the following year or another date set by the commission.  The 
commission by rule may set the amount of a license fee for a license 
issued during a transition period at an amount lower than 
prescribed in this chapter and provide for a license term for a 
transition period that is shorter or longer than a year.
	(b)  A license issued under Section 42.012(b) of this code to 
a person who is 16 years of age at the time the license is issued, 
but reaches the age of 17 during the term of the license, is valid 
for the entire term of the license.

Added by Acts 1977, 65th Leg., p. 1536, ch. 626, § 2, eff. Aug. 
29, 1977.  Amended by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 838, § 5, eff. 
July 15, 1993;  Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 931, § 14, eff. June 16, 
1995.


	§ 42.0177. BIRD OR ANIMAL TAGS:  COMMISSION RULES.  The 
commission by rule may modify or eliminate the tagging requirements 
of Section 42.018, 42.0185, or 42.020, or other similar tagging 
requirements in this chapter.

Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 931, § 15, eff. June 16, 1955.          


	§ 42.018. TAG TO BE ATTACHED TO DEER.  (a) Except as 
provided by Subsection (d) or commission rule, no person may 
possess the carcass of a deer before the carcass has been finally 
processed at a final destination unless there is attached to the 
carcass a properly executed deer tag from a hunting license 
provided by the department and issued to the person who killed the 
deer.
	(b)  A tag is properly executed only when the month and the 
date of the kill are cut out and the tag is filled out to show the 
place the deer to which the tag is attached was killed and to show 
other information required on the tag by the commission.
	(c)  If the deer's head is severed from the carcass, the 
properly executed tag must remain with the carcass.
	(d)  A wildlife resource document completed by the person who 
killed the deer must accompany the head or other part of the deer 
not accompanied by a tag if at any time before the carcass is 
finally processed the head or other part of the deer no longer 
accompanies the carcass.  If a portion of the carcass is divided 
among persons and separated and the person who killed the deer 
retains a portion of the carcass, that person shall retain the tag 
with the portion of the carcass retained by that person.  A wildlife 
resource document shall be retained with the head of a deer that is 
not kept with the carcass until the head is delivered to the owner 
after taxidermy or, if not treated by a taxidermist, until 
delivered to a final destination.
	(e)  Final processing for a deer carcass may occur only at a 
final destination.
	(f)  This section does not prohibit a person before 
delivering a deer carcass to a final destination from removing and 
preparing a part of the deer if the removal and preparation occur 
immediately before the part is cooked or consumed.
	(g)  A landowner or the landowner's agent operating under a 
wildlife management plan approved by the department is, if 
authorized by the commission, exempt from the tag requirements of 
this section.

Acts 1975, 64th Leg., p. 1405, ch. 545, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1975.  
Amended by Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 267, art. 2, § 17, eff. 
Sept. 1, 1985;  Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 38, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 
1993;  Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 635, § 2, eff. Sept. 1, 1993;  
Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 1256, § 29, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.


	§ 42.0185. TAG TO BE ATTACHED TO TURKEY.  (a) Except as 
provided by commission rule, no person may possess a wild turkey at 
any time after the turkey is killed and before it has been finally 
processed at a final destination unless there is attached to the 
turkey a properly executed turkey tag from a hunting license 
provided by the department and issued to the person who killed the 
turkey.
	(b)  A turkey tag is properly executed only when the month 
and the date of the kill are cut out and the tag is filled out to 
show the place the turkey to which the tag is attached was killed 
and to show other information required on the tag.
	(c)  A wildlife resource document completed by the person who 
killed the turkey must accompany a part of the turkey if at any time 
before the turkey reaches a final destination the part of the turkey 
no longer accompanies the tagged turkey and is possessed by the 
person who killed the turkey or is given to, left with, or possessed 
by another person, including a taxidermist.
	(d)  This section does not prohibit a person before 
delivering a wild turkey to a final destination from preparing part 
of the turkey immediately before cooking and consuming the part.

Added by Acts 1977, 65th Leg., p. 613, ch. 223, § 4, eff. Sept. 1, 
1977.  Amended by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 38, § 2, eff. Sept. 1, 
1993;  Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 1256, § 30, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.


	§ 42.019. POSSESSION OF CERTAIN PARTS OF ANTELOPE.  (a) 
Except as provided by Subsection (c), no person may possess the 
carcass of an antelope before it has been finally processed at a 
final destination unless there is attached to the carcass an 
antelope permit provided by the department that is executed 
legibly, accurately, and completely by the person who killed the 
antelope.
	(b)  If the antelope's head is severed from the carcass, the 
properly executed permit must remain with the carcass.
	(c)  A wildlife resource document completed by the person who 
killed the antelope must accompany the head or other part of the 
antelope not accompanied by a permit if at any time before the 
carcass is finally processed the head or other part of the antelope 
no longer accompanies the carcass.  If a portion of the carcass is 
divided among persons and separated and the person who killed the 
antelope retains a portion of the carcass, that person shall retain 
the permit with the portion of the carcass retained by that person.  
A wildlife resource document shall be retained with the head of an 
antelope that is not kept with the carcass until the head is 
delivered to the owner after taxidermy or, if not treated by a 
taxidermist, until delivered to a final destination.
	(d)  Final processing for an antelope carcass may occur only 
at a final destination.
	(e)  This section does not prohibit a person before 
delivering an antelope carcass to a final destination from removing 
and preparing a part of the antelope if the removal and preparation 
occur immediately before the part is cooked and consumed.

Acts 1975, 64th Leg., p. 1405, ch. 545, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1975.  
Amended by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 1256, § 31, eff. Sept. 1, 
1997.


	§ 42.020. BIRD OR ANIMAL TAGS:  PROHIBITED ACTS.  (a) No 
person may purchase or use more bird or animal tags during a license 
year than the number and type authorized for the year by the 
commission, excluding duplicate licenses issued under Section 
42.017 of this code.
	(b)  No person may:                                                            
		(1)  use the same bird or animal tag on more than one 
bird or animal;       
		(2)  use a bird or animal tag issued in the name of 
another;                
		(3)  use a tag on a bird or animal for which another tag 
is specifically required;
		(4)  kill a bird or animal required to be tagged and 
fail to immediately attach a properly executed tag to the carcass;  
or
		(5)  hunt a bird or animal that requires a tag without 
having in his immediate possession the tag required to be attached 
to the carcass of the bird or animal being hunted.

Acts 1975, 64th Leg., p. 1405, ch. 545, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1975.  
Amended by Acts 1977, 65th Leg., p. 613, ch. 223, § 5, eff. Sept. 
1, 1977;  Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 267, art. 2, § 18, eff. Sept. 
1, 1985.


	§ 42.021. BAG LIMITS AND SEASON NOT AFFECTED.  The 
provisions of this chapter do not authorize any person to exceed any 
bag limit or to hunt deer or turkey during a closed season, and the 
attachment of deer or turkey tags as provided by this chapter is not 
prima facie evidence that the deer or turkey was lawfully killed.

Acts 1975, 64th Leg., p. 1405, ch. 545, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1975.  
Amended by Acts 1977, 65th Leg., p. 613, ch. 223, § 6, eff. Sept. 
1, 1977.


	§ 42.022. ONE LICENSE FOR EACH YEAR.  (a) No person may 
acquire or possess more than one hunting license during a license 
year.  For purposes of this section, a violation does not occur 
unless a person acquires or possesses more than one license having 
the same expiration date.
	(b)  This section does not apply to the acquisition and 
possession of a duplicate hunting license acquired as provided in 
this chapter.
	(c)  This section does not apply to the acquisition and 
possession by a nonresident of more than one nonresident hunting 
license if the nonresident does not acquire or possess during a 
license year:
		(1)  more than one nonresident:                                               
			(A)  general hunting license;  or                                            
			(B)  spring turkey hunting license;  or                                      
		(2)  both a nonresident general hunting license and a 
nonresident spring turkey hunting license.
	(d)  For purposes of this section, a license year begins on 
September 1 or another date set by the commission and extends 
through August 31 of the next year or another date set by the 
commission.

Acts 1975, 64th Leg., p. 1405, ch. 545, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1975.  
Amended by Acts 1977, 65th Leg., p. 317, ch. 150, § 4, eff. Aug. 
29, 1977;  Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 609, § 5, eff. Sept. 1, 1987;  
Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 635, § 3, eff. Sept. 1, 1993;  Acts 
1995, 74th Leg., ch. 931, § 16, eff. June 16, 1995.


	§ 42.023. HUNTING UNDER LICENSE OF ANOTHER.  No person 
may hunt under a license issued to another or permit another to hunt 
under a license issued to him.

Acts 1975, 64th Leg., p. 1405, ch. 545, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1975.           


	§ 42.024. EXHIBITING LICENSE.  (a) No person required by 
the provisions of this chapter to have a hunting license may fail or 
refuse to show the license to an officer on demand.
	(b)  If on or before the trial of any person charged with a 
violation of this section, the person produces for the court or the 
prosecuting attorney the proper hunting license issued to the 
person and valid at the time of the offense, the court having 
jurisdiction of the suit shall dismiss the charge.

Acts 1975, 64th Leg., p. 1405, ch. 545, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1975.  
Amended by Acts 1979, 66th Leg., p. 810, ch. 368, § 1, eff. Aug. 
27, 1979.


	§ 42.025. PENALTY.  A person who violates any provision 
of this chapter commits an offense that is a Class C Parks and 
Wildlife Code misdemeanor.

Acts 1975, 64th Leg., p. 1405, ch. 545, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1975.  
Amended by Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 267, art. 3, § 15, eff. 
Sept. 1, 1985.