Relating to a study of the effectiveness of rules and policies implemented by the Parks and Wildlife Department to manage and contain chronic wasting disease and of cervid resistance to chronic wasting disease.

SB 2843 mandates a study by Texas A&M, Texas Tech, and UT Southwestern universities, in partnership with the Parks and Wildlife Department, to evaluate current rules for managing chronic wasting disease (CWD) in deer and elk (cervids) and assess natural cervid resistance to CWD. The study requires a public input process including in-person hearings and a 60-day online portal for public comments on existing policies. Key provisions include comparing Texas policies with other states' approaches, analyzing policy benefits/deficiencies, and examining cervid genetic resistance through scientific data. The study must be completed by December 1, 2026, and reported to the department. This bill does not change existing policies but seeks research to inform future management decisions.