[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6622755,"mediaKeyId","2781464-b15bce3610b3e3764c4cd2d771d1a1ee","parentId",2781464,"title","TPWD seeks approval to offer fully digital licenses and tags across all recreational products, including nonresident options","audioSeconds",551,"startMs",2007000,"endMs",2558000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2781464-b15bce3610b3e3764c4cd2d771d1a1ee&start=2007&end=2558","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2781464-b15bce3610b3e3764c4cd2d771d1a1ee/thumbnail_2007000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6622755/Texas/TPWD-seeks-approval-to-offer-fully-digital-licenses-and-tags-across-all-recreational-products-including-nonresident-options","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6622755-c318e4a35a3afa8abeb8c4d05d037075/orig.mp4?Expires=1770664442&Signature=dojU02vW3~nM9BTBQ1EGJ6mIpfB14MGNioCR1DcZyjUFIb7xof4ACSDNELJbYvvSg~qRwCSvGEjgMbU6GfZqhqfnbFQvrSnwlA1shqXb5O3ZppwdJxsjuS7E4r-YjLcURcOo8U1kS9RXKqDFQMLh8Z6pgO0ydT5BzyAfflwIxlL4aK4JzZDnJRZ7TE92F0gXjmEcOHxDqmkFc9Vi965pcXAE5yfMb7Tc8ZUCDZvc6TVkNy9XAPw1T0HgwGEvZClK5ibdNkaqw~eTiNXr1mNkJincd0CoMni7NgB0CJ-LdpK-f93XSDbxX5lOgiTDEJiV2ThG6WvuTc4LghJwKGCGEg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Texas Wildlife Services","date","2025-03-26T18:16:23.777Z","article","Texas Parks and Wildlife Department staff asked the commission to place proposed rule changes on the agenda that would make fully digital licenses and digital tags available for all recreational hunting, fishing and combination license types beginning in the 2025–26 license year, including options for nonresident customers.

Chris Cerny, business analyst in the Wildlife Division, reviewed the department’s multi‑year pilot and rollout of digital licenses and tags authorized by House Bill 3081 (2021). Cerny said the pilot initially offered a limited set of digital combo licenses and expanded over subsequent years; more than 148,000 digital licenses had been sold in the current license year, accounting for roughly 21% of total sales volume for participating products and more than 60% of online sales for those license types. He said more than 45,000 digital tags had been executed in the current license year to date and that the Texas Hunt and Fish mobile application supports both online and offline digital tag execution.

Cerny explained the field rules that would remain unchanged: license holders must furnish proof of license when checked by a game warden; digital tag execution must be completed immediately upon taking possession of a harvested animal; and for deer and turkey, a handwritten document with specified details must still be attached to the carcass even after executing a digital tag. He said the proposal simply expands which licenses and tags are offered digitally and aligns related Texas Administrative Code sections with existing tagging standards.

Staff noted public comment: as of the snapshot Cerny cited, 69 people had commented on the proposal, with roughly 55% expressing disagreement wholly or in part. Primary concerns included (1) fear that paper licenses would be eliminated (staff said paper options would remain), (2) confusion among license agents and customers about how paper and digital products differ, (3) practical issues in the field such as no cell service or dead batteries, and (4) privacy or tracking concerns. Commissioners asked about specific details such as whether the app prompts for the county during tag entry (Cerny: yes) and whether the wildlife resource document that allows transferring possession of harvested meat could be digitized in the future (Cerny: needs more investigation).

Several commissioners suggested improved outreach and one‑page guidance to license agents explaining digital options and how customers should proceed in the field. Commissioner questions also covered interoperability with the Outdoor Annual app; Cerny said the Texas Hunt and Fish app is required for tag execution and that staff will work to make clear in both apps where customers must go to complete digital tags.

Chairman Hildebrand said he would place the item on the Thursday commission meeting agenda for public comment and action; no final regulatory adoption occurred at the work session.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Commission Work Session 9:00am, Wed. March 26, 2025.","oneSentenceSummary","TPWD staff requested permission to publish proposed rule changes so fully digital licenses and digital tags can be offered for all recreational license types beginning with the 2025–26 license year, including options for nonresident license holders.","taxTitle","Texas Wildlife Services, Departments and Agencies, Executive, Texas","taxId",37799,"location","Texas","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6622759,"TPWD chairman directs phased park-opening policy, seeks clarity on Centennial Fund approvals",331,1029000,1360000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2781464-b15bce3610b3e3764c4cd2d771d1a1ee&start=1029&end=1360","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2781464-b15bce3610b3e3764c4cd2d771d1a1ee/thumbnail_1029000.jpg","/articles/6622759/Texas/TPWD-chairman-directs-phased-park-opening-policy-seeks-clarity-on-Centennial-Fund-approvals","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6622759-897ff0b2208c6c0a576ccd5b840c6ac0/orig.mp4?Expires=1770664442&Signature=I4HQRGcv3g~2wUQsaDUvph69mAjwsVRJtKeHxgkzDo1FDAIiZJBEAsozr~NN31F6fRijPiKBOqcUEgMg9XjfDBFsbbQGJLUcx1Lr7run27vtEP2-ZTGW9cmYsweMCGtfwP5sBxvT8eFpOhPwEVTJFAIYLTf3PtXxJkm0f-Ay7V6zwt9gzwun9rS8wzromHIY4npxy78n8Ml7MBP-481qfbFdhG2APIeVg4wZPhzFmNP3BAQEGJho8oeT4pT-kE4yfQ6uCerRI7ryZ~AHMpGN~r1f6ufs6~Ulj9Z0bBqi3g7HN~D2lfdrUp2SSaDTkS-cuLKPUsjNjduCdeeA94Z4AQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Chairman Hildebrand asked Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) staff to draft a formal policy that would set timelines for phased openings of newly acquired parks and clarify Centennial Parks Conservation Fund approval requirements.

David Joskowitz, TPWD executive director, briefed commissioners on land and water program activities and budget items. Following that presentation, Chairman Hildebrand outlined specific staged opening targets and directed staff to return in May with a written policy for commission adoption. Hildebrand asked that newly acquired parks be opened for limited public use within 12 months of closing, for day use within 18 months, and fully opened within 48 months, and that the department post each park’s phase on its website so the public can see when activities (for example, guided hunts or scout events) will be allowed.

Joskowitz told the commission that the department must seek Legislative Budget Board (LBB) approval any time it intends to pull monies from the Centennial Parks Conservation Fund for land acquisition or park build‑out, and that TPWD is requesting clearer guidance from the LBB about the content and data required for those requests so the approvals process will be smoother. Commissioner Rolling asked whether the commission’s approvals at TPWD would precede LBB review; Joskowitz confirmed that the commission first approves projects internally, and that the LBB review follows.

Commissioners emphasized accountability and timetables. Hildebrand said the department should “hold ourselves accountable for the follow through” and requested annual progress reports to the commission on whether staff are meeting, exceeding, or falling behind the adopted timelines. Commissioner Bell and others supported the direction and the request that staff return in May with the written policy for adoption.

The discussion followed staff remarks on TPWD’s recent acquisition activity and the governor and legislature’s support for expanding public lands. No formal vote on the policy was recorded at the work session; chairman’s direction was to place the drafted policy for commission consideration at the May meeting.","Texas Parks and Wildlife Department staff were asked to return with a formal phased opening policy for newly acquired parks and clarification on what information the Legislative Budget Board requires to approve Centennial Park Conservation Fund disbursements.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6622747,"TPWD to seek public comment on mariculture fee cuts and allowing Gulf‑sourced triploid seed for oyster farms",817,4967000,5784000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2781464-b15bce3610b3e3764c4cd2d771d1a1ee&start=4967&end=5784","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2781464-b15bce3610b3e3764c4cd2d771d1a1ee/thumbnail_4967000.jpg","/articles/6622747/Texas/TPWD-to-seek-public-comment-on-mariculture-fee-cuts-and-allowing-Gulfsourced-triploid-seed-for-oyster-farms","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6622747-d56d730a155733799f35687f28327f23/orig.mp4?Expires=1770664442&Signature=U8YQAYaXp8mHynu7-~JrpqQOHo3CE0Do~ooR28aESB4zWbmF4CI-nVmAgK5iYgYBGvlsRFSkB7WiccCWQwSqMnGR0-Txa~unMMbENCAr~B9TKh6TQcyDgWVT8UQGsfqmb6uA48qmlzwmnJ7DElSvUj8GOW1p7asjTxM1T9V8~u4eBnxY5h-vkr6rFKk6k4yyYKyzvnhQUthnMHexculD7luUDyMhRP9XCc9Wx7w6ADlwvE~rtvj9MNWxFBPAFNVvRfMI2xnkkwVWp7VVxjPzY7WcXz0lPsn13cjpBikTt~3Z2F1bSsza6IqvSMkNi9ASjwhCB-Fa1lQd-64yU35evA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The commission authorized staff to publish proposed amendments that would lower annual fees for cultivated oyster (mariculture) permits and discussed a separate request from industry to allow triploid seed derived from Gulf broodstock to be used in Texas farms.

Dr. Lindsay Glass Campbell, Coastal Fisheries Division, presented proposed fee reductions for grow‑out and nursery/hatchery permits. Under the proposal, public‑water grow‑out site fees would fall from $450 per acre per year to $150 per acre per year; the private‑land equivalent would be reduced from $170 per acre to $57 per acre per year. Staff said nursery/hatchery permits tend to be very small and proposed either a $150 minimum annual fee or a combined public/private fee consistent with grow‑out rates, whichever is greater, to help cover inspection costs.

Dr. Glass Campbell said the department has 13 permitted grow‑out sites totaling about 101 acres, 38 conditionally approved grow‑out sites totaling about 121 acres, and seven permitted nursery/hatchery sites totaling about 51 acres. Staff said the fee reductions follow stakeholder input intended to lower barriers for small businesses, a review of other states’ fee structures, and internal cost data.

Commissioners and staff also discussed a separate industry request — from the Texas Oyster Mariculture Association — to allow oyster farmers to source triploid seed produced from Gulf lineage broodstock rather than requiring specifically Texas‑parentage broodstock. Staff said many Gulf states already permit Gulf‑sourced triploid seed; allowing access would expand supply options for Texas farmers and reduce reliance on a smaller number of hatcheries outside Texas that currently prioritize larger Gulf markets. Dr. Glass Campbell described biological and commercial considerations for triploids, including that triploid oysters (mostly sterile) allocate energy to growth rather than reproduction and are often favored for faster, year‑round growth and harvest quality.

Chairman Hildebrand and commissioners asked staff to publish the fee revisions in the Texas Register for public comment and to return for adoption in May. Commissioners additionally requested a broader briefing on oyster industry status in May and asked TPWD to coordinate with the General Land Office (GLO), Texas Department of Agriculture, USDA and other agencies on restoration Certificates of Location (COLs), crop‑insurance options, and a commercial license buyback effort aimed at reef conservation. Chairman Hildebrand asked staff to proceed with the buyback work and to pursue memoranda of understanding with partner agencies to streamline permitting and restoration efforts.","TPWD staff proposed reducing cultivated oyster mariculture permit annual fees and indicated the department will publish proposed rule changes and seek public comment; commissioners also directed staff to pursue broader coordination on reef restoration, buybacks, and crop insurance.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6622750,"TPWD staff propose multiple fishing and hunting proclamation changes including amberjack size and migratory‑bird season adjustments",538,3007000,3545000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2781464-b15bce3610b3e3764c4cd2d771d1a1ee&start=3007&end=3545","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2781464-b15bce3610b3e3764c4cd2d771d1a1ee/thumbnail_3007000.jpg","/articles/6622750/Texas/TPWD-staff-propose-multiple-fishing-and-hunting-proclamation-changes-including-amberjack-size-and-migratorybird-season-adjustments","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6622750-f199931573e32421213d9fba6376e3ae/orig.mp4?Expires=1770664442&Signature=lxnVFgIAZE23JWWeggrklDkLT35aYA8qF9CrZfwnErvVX~Lr4VxXOcf2o28mQRHHNsx3vB2VPZhWJSif0hFV9uuqUOAGn940uZ8BMfCEc-RFXEdT4~hqfMI7eahv68MRlSEGnFmZFEKuEYnLmHwVAyuInU9ksq2pu9nReQkUNrjj1JUPQLiNdZ0zDC4dh~ElEmGLRtzOeKLrSniI6wLaaeFHSZ9vzdxTr5In8U0MmvFKCwdYZ60-F0A8yYKRttgczlZf74N6Lv3mMqbXGorJfg9-cPUVjGjEfAKJWe2bttruIM1zx-vdIsahRsoNpczuAEJHeXnD2n9fddrXTGmRUQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","TPWD staff presented a package of proposed regulatory changes across coastal fisheries and statewide hunting proclamations and asked the commission to place the items on the Thursday agenda for public comment and action.

Brian Bartram, Coastal Fisheries, proposed aligning state and federal size limits for greater amberjack in Texas state waters by increasing the commercial minimum total length from 34 inches to 40 inches total length (roughly equivalent to the federal 36‑inch fork length). Bartram said the change is designed to promote enforcement consistency and reduce confusion between state and federal waters.

Bartram also described administrative transfers in the Texas Administrative Code to move a recently adopted interim rule for the oversized spotted seatrout tag into the appropriate chapter and to align digital tagging language with the broader digital license rule package (work session item 5).

On hunting and migratory game bird issues, Sean Oldenberger (Small Game Program) reviewed proposed changes consistent with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service federal frameworks: staff proposed a 3‑bird daily pintail bag limit where federal harvest strategy allows it, a reduction of the early teal season from 16 to 9 days based on the recent breeding population survey, adjustments to High Plains mallard management exposure days, changes to rail and gallinule seasons, modifications to falconry seasons, and a proposed reduction of the special white‑wing dove season from six days to five in the South Zone (staff cited calendar progression and hunter distribution as rationales). Oldenberger said the Migratory Gamebird Advisory Committee supported the proposals and summarized public comment counts and viewpoints for each change.

Oldenberger also presented several hunting proclamation items: adding Lubbock County to wild turkey seasons (staff said turkey occupancy models support a season there), clarifying turkey zone boundaries in Hill County, and proposed amendments to clarify digital tagging requirements for deer and turkey consistent with the digital license package. On quail season timing, staff described competing advisory committee recommendations: the Upland Gamebird Technical Committee favored retaining the current structure (Saturday closest to Oct. 28 opening), while the Upland Gamebird Advisory Committee unanimously supported a November 1–last day of February structure; staff reported strong public support for moving to a February end date and asked for commission direction.

Sean Gray (Mule Deer program) presented proposed mule deer changes including extending special archery seasons in the Panhandle and Trans‑Pecos (staff proposed increases from 35 days to 56 and 62 respectively, ending the day before the general season) and consolidating Managed Land Deer Program (MLDP) seasons so any lawful means would be allowed from the Saturday closest to Sept. 30 through the last Sunday in January. Staff said advisory committees and surveys favored the changes and that they expect no negative biological impacts based on available data. Commissioners asked detailed timing and fairness questions about MLDP seasons and season length.

Staff requested that the commission place these items on Thursday’s agenda for public comment and potential adoption; no final votes occurred at the work session.","Staff presented proposed regulatory amendments for coastal fisheries (including greater amberjack minimum size), statewide recreational and commercial fishing proclamations, and multiple hunting and migratory game bird proclamation changes for public comment and possible adoption.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

TPWD seeks approval to offer fully digital licenses and tags across all recreational products, including nonresident options

TPWD chairman directs phased park-opening policy, seeks clarity on Centennial Fund approvals

TPWD to seek public comment on mariculture fee cuts and allowing Gulf‑sourced triploid seed for oyster farms

TPWD staff propose multiple fishing and hunting proclamation changes including amberjack size and migratory‑bird season adjustments