🟡An Act relating to the dismissal of a criminal charge related to the illegal hunting of certain deer; authorizing fees.

HB 654

🟡 HB 654: A Second Chance for Hunters, But Watch the Fine Print

What it says it does:
HB 654, also called the Asp-Morgan Act, creates a second-chance process for hunters who make a minor mistake. If someone harvests a deer just outside legal antler limits and immediately reports it, they can avoid a permanent criminal record.

What it actually changes:
It allows a hunter who self-reports a deer that’s less than one inch over the legal antler spread to avoid conviction. The person must take a Texas Parks and Wildlife-approved hunter education course, stay out of trouble for 180 days, and pay up to $20 in total fees. If completed, the case is dismissed and will not appear on job or license records.

Who benefits:
Responsible hunters who make honest mistakes gain a fair chance to correct them through education instead of punishment. Local courts and course providers may also benefit from small administrative fees tied to this process.

Who gets left out or exposed:
Rural Texans may struggle to access the required education courses. The bill does not define who can serve as a course provider, which may allow a small number of vendors to dominate or operate without oversight. There is also no audit trail for how local courts handle the collected fees.

Why this matters long term:
HB 654 sets a precedent for routing small public payments through private vendors without clear accountability. Even though it aims to support fairness for hunters, it quietly expands how local courts can reimburse private education services.

What to watch next:
Implementation in rural counties and the selection process for course providers. Oversight and transparency will determine whether this bill remains restorative or becomes another under-regulated payment channel.

Bottom line:
HB 654 gives hunters a break for self-reported mistakes, but it also introduces a new, lightly regulated path for vendor reimbursements through local courts. Texans should watch how the program is managed to ensure it stays fair and transparent.

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