TEXAS BAT BILL
Texas bats provide farmers and ranchers over 1-billion dollars in pest control annually through control of the corn-borer and armyworm moths. They consume staggering numbers of agricultural pests nightly. saving farmers an estimated $85 per acre in pesticide use. However, our Texas bat populations are in alarming decline.
The less bats we have, the more damage we incur to our Texas crops, and more pesticides are used instead. In areas where bat populations have declined, farmers have increased insecticide use by 31%. This rise in pesticide use has been associated with an 8% increase in human infant mortality rates, equating to an additional 1,334 infant deaths. The study underscores that for every 1% increase in pesticide use, there is a 0.25% increase in infant mortality rates.
There are safe and effective means to remove bats from buildings that do not involve killing. We urge you to support S.B. no. 1285 relating to the protection of bats by sending an email in support of the Bill today.
PLEASE READ THIS FIRST!
A complete sample message is below. Note that copy-paste emails are almost always discarded! It is critically important that you use your own words, which is why you will also find below an example of points to include with your email. The above flyer also provides key points you can use in your email.
SUBJECT LINE EXAMPLES
“In Support of SB 1285” or “Bat Protection Law” or “Bat protection Bill” or Bats need your support”, etc.
EMAIL ADDRESSES TO USE. NOTE – You may email Senator Perry and cc the others:
The Honorable Charles Perry: [email protected]
The Honorable Kelly Hancock, Vice Chair: [email protected]
The Honorable Brian Birdwell, Member: [email protected]
The Honorable Cesar Blanco, Member: [email protected]
The Honorable Roland Gutierrez, Member: [email protected]
The Honorable Adam Hinojosa, Member: [email protected]
The Honorable Nathan Johnson, Member: [email protected]
The Honorable Lois Kolkhorst, Member: [email protected]
The Honorable Kevin Sparks, Member: [email protected]
TO WRITE YOUR OWN LETTER (RECOMMENDED!) :
Austin, TX 78701
My name is XXXXX. I am writing in support of Bill SB 1285 relating to the protection of our Texas bats.
POINTS TO USE:
- The bats in Texas save farmers 1-billion dollars in pest control annually.
- Bat populations are in serious decline statewide, mainly due to destruction of nursery colonies.
- Texas is one of only 7 states that does not offer protection for bats during their critical maternity season.
- Bats are critical to our environment by keeping insect populations down
- Without bats, more pesticides will be needed, which increase harm to our environments as well as human health
- Excluding or killing bat colonies during maternity season jeopardizes human health as dead dying bats will end up in the walls or ceilings of buildings, creating unbearable odor. Dying bats outside of buildings may be picked up by children or pets, and may be bitten.
- Add anything else you feel to make your email personal and impactful!
CLOSING:
I urge you to Bill SB1285 and set this Bill for hearing.
I look forward to hearing back from you.
Thank you,
YOUR NAME
YOUR CITY, STATE
YOUR EMAIL
TO USE OUR FORM LETTER:
Dear Senator,
My name is XXXX. I’m emailing in support for Senate Bill 1285.
Texas bats provide farmers and ranchers over ONE BILLION DOLLARS in pest control annually. They consume staggering numbers of agricultural pests nightly. The bats of Central Texas alone consume close to 250 TONS of insects on an average summer night, saving farmers an estimated $85 per acre in pesticide use. Texas bats are in alarming decline. For example, a population decline in Eagle Creek Cave was documented from over 25 million in 1963 to just 30,000 six years later. Human disturbance and vandalism, especially during maternity season, is the single most serious cause of this decline.
Texas, boasting the most farms and ranches in the entire US, is one of only 7 states that offers no protection for bats during maternity season. Because of this, entire nursery colonies are often destroyed when they roost in buildings. Both Florida and Louisiana have laws in place that protect bats during maternity season. These laws protect bat colonies and give little disruption to businesses.
In areas where bat populations have declined, farmers have increased their insecticide use by approximately 31%. This rise in pesticide use has been associated with a nearly 8% increase in human infant mortality rates, equating to an additional 1,334 infant deaths.
The study underscores that for every 1% increase in pesticide use, there is a 0.25% increase in infant mortality rates.
There are safe and effective means to remove bats from buildings that do not involve killing. I urge you to support S.B. no. 1285 relating to the protection of bats.
Thank you for your time.
YOUR NAME
YOUR CITY
YOUR EMAIL
THE BAT BILL
| 89R9357 MP-F | ||
| By: Eckhardt | S.B. No. 1285 | |
| relating to the protection of bats. | ||
| BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: | ||
| SECTION 1. Section 63.101, Parks and Wildlife Code, is | ||
| amended to read as follows: | ||
| Sec. 63.101. PROTECTION OF BATS. (a) Except as provided by | ||
| Subsections (b), (b-1), and (c), a [ | ||
| (1) confine or hunt a bat; or | ||
| (2) sell, offer for sale, purchase, offer to purchase, | ||
| or possess after purchase a bat or any part of a bat, dead or alive. | ||
| (b) Subject to Subsection (b-1), a [ | ||
| hunted if the bat is inside or on a building occupied by people. | ||
| (b-1) A bat or bat colony using a building or structure as a | ||
| roost site may be controlled only by a nonlethal exclusion method | ||
| that allows bats to leave but not reenter the building or structure. | ||
| The exclusion method described by this subsection may not be | ||
| implemented during the period each year beginning May 1 and ending | ||
| August 31. | ||
| (c) This section does not apply to: | ||
| (1) an animal control officer, a peace officer, a | ||
| licensed pest control professional, or a health official who | ||
| captures a bat that the officer, professional, or official | ||
| considers injured or diseased; or | ||
| (2) a person who transports a bat for the purpose of: | ||
| (A) laboratory testing if the bat has exposed or | ||
| potentially exposed humans or domestic animals to rabies; or | ||
| (B) rehabilitation at a registered | ||
| rehabilitation facility if the bat has had no known prior exposure | ||
| with humans | ||
| [ | ||
| SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025. | ||