TITLE 31. NATURAL RESOURCES AND CONSERVATION
PART 2. TEXAS PARKS AND WILDLIFE DEPARTMENT
CHAPTER 51. EXECUTIVE
SUBCHAPTER
O.
The Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission in a duly noticed meeting on August 20, 2026, adopted amendments to 31 TAC §§51.601, 51.606 - 51.615, 51.631, and 51.671 - 51.673, concerning Advisory Committees. Section 51.601, concerning General Requirements, is adopted with changes to the proposed text as published in the July 17, 2026, issue of the Texas Register (51 TexReg 4660). This rule will be republished. The amendments to §§51.606 - 51.615, 51.631, and 51.671 - 51.673 are adopted without change and will not be republished.
The change to §51.601 alters subsection (f) as proposed to replace generic language stipulating four-year terms with a specific term expiration date of July 1, 2030.
The amendments establish an expiration date of July 1, 2030, for the following advisory committees: White-tailed Deer Advisory Committee (WTDAC), Migratory Game Bird Advisory Committee (MGBAC), Upland Game Bird Advisory Committee (UGBAC), Private Lands Advisory Committee (PLAC), Bighorn Sheep Advisory Committee (BSAC), Wildlife Diversity Advisory Committee (WDAC), Mule Deer Advisory Committee (MDAC), Urban Outreach Advisory Committee (UOAC), Accessibility Advisory Committee (AAC), Boating and Waterways Advisory Committee (BWAC), Freshwater Fisheries Advisory Committee (FFAC), State Parks Advisory Committee (SPAC), Coastal Resources Advisory Committee (CRAC), and Oyster Advisory Committee (OAC). The department believes that these advisory committees continue to perform a valuable service for the department. Therefore, the department wishes to continue these advisory committees.
Parks and Wildlife Code, §11.0162, authorizes the chair of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission to "appoint committees to advise the commission on issues under its jurisdiction." Government Code, Chapter 2110, requires that rules be adopted regarding each state agency advisory committee. Unless otherwise provided by specific statute, the rules must (1) state the purpose of the committee; (2) describe the manner in which the committee will report to the agency; and (3) establish the date on which the committee will automatically be abolished, unless the advisory committee has a specific duration established by statute.
The amendment to §51.601, concerning General Requirements, establishes an expiration date of July 1, 2030 for committee member terms and provides for committee members to serve beyond the expiration date of their terms until a replacement is appointed by the chair. The amendment also replaces the word "Chairman" with the word "chair" (which occurs throughout the rules), which is intended to replace archaic language with generic references in a spare style to reflect modern usage and code construction practices.
The amendment to §51.611, concerning Wildlife Diversity Advisory Committee (WDAC), renames the committee and makes conforming changes to references accordingly, which is necessary to avoid potential confusion.
The department received three comments opposing adoption of the rules as proposed. Of the three comments, two provided a specific reason or rationale for opposing adoption. Those comments, accompanied by the department's response to each, follow.
One commenter opposed adoption and stated dissatisfaction with recreational fishing harvest rules. The department disagrees that the comment is germane to the rules. No changes were made as a result of the comment.
One commenter opposed adoption and stated that subcommittees for a specific species of wildlife are not necessary and dilute focus on real needs. The department neither agrees nor disagrees with the comment and responds that the rules as adopted do not establish subcommittees. The department further responds that advisory committees dedicated to specific kinds of resources absolutely provide critical focus with respect to informing agency management decisions. No changes were made as a result of the comment.
The department received two comments supporting adoption of the rules as proposed.
The amendments are adopted under the authority of Parks and Wildlife Code, §11.0162 and Government Code, §2110.005 and §2110.008.
The adopted amendments affect Parks and Wildlife Code, §11.0162 and Government Code, §2110.005 and §2110.008.
§51.601.
(a) Definitions. The following words and terms, when used in this subchapter, shall have the following meaning, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.
(1) Advisory committee--A committee, council, commission, board, or task force or other entity with multiple members that has as its primary function advising the department.
(2) Chair--The chair of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission.
(3) Commission--The Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission.
(4) Department--The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.
(5) Director--The Executive Director of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.
(b) Creation. The chair may appoint advisory committees to advise the commission on issues within the jurisdiction of the department or the commission.
(c) Function. Unless otherwise provided by law, an advisory committee will address only those matters about which advice is sought. An advisory committee will have no authority to establish agency policy.
(d) Expiration of advisory committee. Unless expressly provided in this subchapter or other law, each department advisory committee will expire on the expiration date established for each advisory committee.
(e) Membership. The chair may, in his or her sole discretion, appoint individuals to serve on an advisory committee. Membership in an advisory committee will not exceed 24 (excluding ex officio members). Unless otherwise provided by specific statute, membership of each advisory committee shall be balanced to ensure representation of industries or occupations regulated or directly affected by the department and consumers of services provided by the department or by the industries or occupations regulated by the department to which the advisory committee relates. Each advisory committee shall include at least one department employee as an ex officio member. Members may be subject to removal and/or replacement at the discretion of the chair.
(f) Term of members.
(1) Unless expressly provided in this subchapter or other law, the term of an advisory committee member shall expire on July 1, 2030.
(2) A committee member may continue to serve after the expiration date of a term until the chair appoints a replacement.
(g) Presiding officer. The presiding officer of each advisory committee shall be selected by the members of the advisory committee from its membership. The chair may make a recommendation to the advisory committee regarding the presiding officer.
(h) Subcommittees. The chair may also appoint one or more subcommittees of an advisory committee, so long as the membership of the advisory committee, including any subcommittees does not exceed 24.
(i) Meetings. Each committee shall meet at least once a year, but may meet as often as necessary. The department ex officio member of each advisory committee shall work with the presiding officer to schedule advisory committee meetings and provide adequate notice to department staff and to other members.
(j) Reports. On or before October 1 of each year of its existence, each advisory committee shall submit a report to the department. Upon receipt of the report, the department shall evaluate the advisory committee's work, usefulness and costs related to the committee's existence, including the cost of agency staff time spent in support of the committee's activities. Each report shall included the following:
(1) a summary or minutes of meetings conducted during the previous fiscal year (September 1-August 30);
(2) a summary of recommendations from the advisory committee; and
(3) other information determined by the advisory committee or the chair to be appropriate and useful.
(k) Expenses. Members of each advisory committee will serve without compensation or reimbursement for travel or other out-of-pocket expenses.
(l) Rules. For each advisory committee appointed, the commission shall adopt rules that address the purpose of the advisory committee and membership qualifications. Such rules may also address the terms of service, operating procedures, and other standards to ensure the effectiveness of an advisory committee appointed under this subchapter.
(m) Rulemaking Committees. Notwithstanding other provisions of this subchapter, as authorized by §2001.031, Texas Government Code (the Administrative Procedure Act), the Director may, from time to time, appoint ad hoc committees of experts or interested persons or representatives of the public to advise the Department about contemplated rulemaking. Members of such committees shall serve at the will of the Director and shall serve without compensation. Committees appointed under this subsection shall continue for no longer than one year, unless extended by the Director.
The agency certifies that legal counsel has reviewed the adoption and found it to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.
Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on October 9, 2026.
TRD-202604328
James Murphy
General Counsel
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
Effective date: October 29, 2026
Proposal publication date: July 17, 2026
For further information, please call: (512) 389-4775