31 Tex. Admin. Code § 69.304 - Qualifications

(a) Zoological collection permits shall be issued only to agents of entities that are either:

(1) accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA); or

(2) in compliance with the facility standards set forth in § 69.305 of this title (relating to Facility Standards) and whose letters of recommendation required by § 69.303 of this title (relating to Application) are from current zoological collection permit holders or persons representing entities accredited by the AZA; and

(A) seek authorization to possess more than five specimens; or

(B) whose collection would consist solely of birds and animals that are incapable of fending for themselves in the wild.

(b) Scientific research permits shall not be issued to persons the department determines are inadequately trained or too inexperienced to accomplish the objectives of the proposed research.

(c) Educational display permits shall be issued only to:

(1) employees, representatives, or agents of accredited primary, secondary, or post-secondary educational institutions;

(2) governmental entities; or

(3) nonprofit educational organizations.

(d) Any person transporting into this state any bird or animal for a purpose governed under this subchapter must meet the qualifications established in subsection (c) of this section and must possess a department-issued letter of authorization listing the specific birds and animals that the person is authorized to possess and the time period for which such possession is authorized. No letter of authorization issued under this subsection shall authorize the possession of protected wildlife for longer than 90 days in this state. A separate letter of authorization is required for each instance that any protected wildlife is transported into this state.

Notes

31 Tex. Admin. Code § 69.304

The provisions of this §69.304 adopted to be effective August 26, 1997, 22 TexReg 7901; Amended by Texas Register, Volume 50, Number 12, March 21, 2025, TexReg 2079, eff. 3/24/2025